49ers Player Dies in Lockeroom after game

[*MIBabe03*]

49ers lineman collapses, dies after game
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Associated Press
Posted: 5 hours ago



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.

[Janice]

Rest In Peace Thomas Herrion

[Dutabi84]

I remember how sad it made me when Korey Stringer fell and died. What a sad, scary story.

[Mr. Television]

OMG this so sad and tragic.

[MissZero]

aww thats so sad may he rest in peace

[Jrnygrl]

[Mikado]

310 lbs??? Geez, THIS is the result of sports always trying to make everyone bigger and stronger than the previous generation, health is being sacrificed, there should be an inquiry. RIP Mr Herrion

[Brad Russ]

Originally Posted by Mikado

310 lbs??? Geez, THIS is the result of sports always trying to make everyone bigger and stronger than the previous generation, health is being sacrificed, there should be an inquiry. RIP Mr Herrion

Exactly. Something needs to be done before one of these players collapses, and dies in the middle of a game. It almost happened that way this time. Had there been one more quarter, it probably would have. Rest In Peace Thomas Herrion.