San Francisco 49er's player dies after preseason game

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Brent
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San Francisco 49er's player dies after preseason game

#1 Postby Brent » Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:05 am

49ers lineman collapses, dies after game
Associated Press

DENVER (AP) - San Francisco offensive lineman Thomas Herrion collapsed in the locker room and died Sunday morning, shortly after the 49ers played the Denver Broncos in a preseason game.

He was 23.

Herrion, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound guard, was on the field for San Francisco's 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a touchdown with 2 seconds left.

According to a report posted on the San Francisco Chronicle's Web site, Herrion was seen walking off the field at the end of the game in seemingly good condition. He collapsed in the locker room a little before 11 p.m. local time, the report said.

Players had finished listening to coach Mike Nolan address them in a postgame meeting when Herrion collapsed. Medics administered CPR on him and took him to an ambulance that rushed him to a nearby hospital.

About three hours later, 49ers spokesman Aaron Salkin confirmed that Herrion had died. The cause of death was not immediately known.

"This is a colossal tragedy for the 49ers and the entire NFL community," Salkin said. "We still do not know all the details. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herrion family."

The report by the Chronicle addd that Nolan informed Herrion's teammates at the airport, where they were preparing to depart for San Francisco.

The 49ers released this statement, which was obtained by the Chronicle:

"Thomas Herrion, a first-year guard on the 49ers, collapsed in the locker room following the game. He was immediately treated by team physicians, the medical staff and paramedics. He was then transported to St. Anthony's Central. We received word later that he passed away. This is a colossal tragedy for the 49ers and the entire NFL community. We still do not know all of the details. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herrion family."

The death comes a little more than four years after offensive lineman Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings died of heatstroke during a training camp practice on a day during which the heat index soared to 110.

Since Stringer's death, NFL teams have increased their efforts to teach players about hydration and how to manage the heat. They have been experimenting with sensors to measure players' core body temperatures, although those by themselves wouldn't be able to prevent a heat-related death.

Temperatures were in the mid-60s with 50 percent humidity Saturday night in Denver, although experts say heatstroke can occur even in cool conditions.

After the game, Nolan said he had no comments about San Francisco's 26-21 loss to the Broncos.

"There are more important things on our mind than the game," he said. "Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with Thomas Herrion."

Shortly after that statement, the Niners got dressed and boarded buses that took them to the Denver airport for their flight back to California.

"We didn't see anything happen," Niners defensive lineman Marques Douglas said. "I sat by my locker and prayed for him."

Herrion, a first-year player with the 49ers, played college football at Utah State University and spent part of last season on the San Francisco and Dallas practice squads and also played this season with the Hamburg Sea Dogs of NFL Europe.

Stringer's death was thought to be the first of its kind in the NFL. In 1979, St. Louis Cardinals tight end J.V. Cain died of a heart attack during training camp. Chuck Hughes, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, died of a heart attack Oct. 24, 1972, during a game in Detroit against the Chicago Bears.

In April, Arena Football League player Al Lucas of the Los Angeles Avengers died of a spinal-cord injury he endured while making a tackle.
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#2 Postby Stephanie » Sun Aug 21, 2005 11:46 am

I pray for him and his family. He was so young! :(
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#3 Postby Radar » Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:15 pm

How tragic that he died playing the sport that he loved and thought it would give him a better life. I know he must have had a physical before the season began so he was probably in good shape. But regardless I bet the autopsy will show he had massive coronery or stroke. It just goes to show you, you never know when it is your time, live each day like it will be your last!
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#4 Postby george_r_1961 » Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:55 am

Athletes push themselves physically harder than anyone along with military recruits in boot camp. In both cases undetectable medical conditions can cause sudden death. Its a shame he died so young, doing what he enjoyed most in life :cry:
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#5 Postby HurricaneGirl » Mon Aug 22, 2005 6:17 am

That's so sad :cry: He was such a young man. My prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates.
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