TSU Freshman Player Dies After Collapsing On Field
A Tennessee State University freshman player collapsed on the field during Wednesday’s practice and was pronounced dead at Baptist Hospital later in the day.
The walk-on football player, William Wayne Jones III, collapsed during a non-contact practice and died at the hospital later, according to TSU coach Rod Reed.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Jones was 19 and was a freshman defensive back who hadn’t played any games because he was red-shirted.
He caught a football toward the beginning of practice and was returning it to defensive backs coach Ed Sanders when he suddenly collapsed Reed recalled:
“We didn’t think it was anything serious, but the trainers checked on him right away.”
The trainers got to Jones and found him unconscious with no pulse. They tried to revive him while waiting for an ambulance, but the freshman player was pronounced dead at 5:50 pm.
TSU sophomore safety Daniel Fitzpatrick, who said that he and Jones were close friends, stated:
“To see him go down and stay down was a hurtful sight. When a player goes down you never know. Sometimes they jump right back up and sometimes they don’t. Either way it always gets your attention.”
USA Today notes that coach Rob Reed called William Wayne Jones II to let him know that the entire football team, plus coaches, wanted to attend the freshman player’s funeral. Jones immediately began altering funeral plans.
Coach Reed stated that all 86 players on the Tigers’ roster, plus its coaching staff, will be attending the service no matter when it is scheduled despite their scheduled game to end the season on November 17. Reed added:
“I spoke with the dad and he was trying to make arrangements around the game. That’s what he thinks Wayne would have wanted. I applaud him for that, but I told him not to make any special concessions for us. Whatever the case may be we’ll be there.”
A prayer service was held at Elliot Hall on Thursday for the freshman player who died at football practice. There will also be a candlelight vigil at 5 pm Friday on TSU’s campus.
Tags : freshman football player dies, freshman player dies, tennessee state university player dies, tsu freshman player dies, tsu player dies, william wayne jones III dies
Posted: November 9, 2012
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Nov 9, 2012
My thoughts and prayers to the family and his football family.
Nov 9, 2012
how sad, god bless his family.
Nov 9, 2012
Sad thing is many of these guys are given steroids by doctors.
Nov 9, 2012
wow way to young for something like this…my thoughts and prayers to his family and his team.
Nov 9, 2012
Utterly tragic. Can't help but wonder what could have spurred this? Was he a heavy consumer of aspartame, which is known for causing heart irregularities? Was he taking some sort of steroid?
Nov 9, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Nov 9, 2012
Something strange is happening on these football fields. There are way too many young athletes just dropping dead! SO sad. R.I.P. Young Man.
Nov 9, 2012
Why can't we learn that making sports more important than our children's welfare just so a father can puff his chest out and relive his life through his child instead of making his education their main focus I have seen this first hand my thoughts and prayers go out to the family how very sad.
Nov 9, 2012
WHEN will you coaches out there require ALL players to have an EKG; Echo and stress test BEFORE playing? JUST CONTINUES TO BE STUPID. I will be VERY surprised if a hidden congenital defect isn't discovered OR an enlarged heart. You male macho men just don't "get it" do you?
Nov 9, 2012
just like yahjew to say he dies but not give the frigging resson great jernalism retards.
Nov 9, 2012
Did they say what the cause was?
Nov 9, 2012
Because it cost's lots of money to get those done and most of these kids' families can't afford those things.
Nov 9, 2012
These kids push themselves so hard and if they happen to have an enlarged heart it will just give out one day. this happens more in basketball and soccer, more cardio intensive sports.
Nov 9, 2012
Probably died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Nov 9, 2012
I agree with graceoverpressure, it may also be an anurisim (spelling?) as I have seen this before as well. I just hope it is not steriods. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young man and to all who knew him. May God keep you in his arms and help you throught this difficult time.
Nov 9, 2012
Taylor Goble – It should not cost money unless the families do not have insurance, I think a complete physical for ALL athletes should include x-rays, ekg's, and CT scans. To make sure there are no heart conditions or brain conditions. God be with the family during this difficult time.
Nov 9, 2012
Taylor Goble – It should not cost money unless the families do not have insurance, I think a complete physical for ALL athletes should include x-rays, ekg's, and CT scans. To make sure there are no heart conditions or brain conditions. God be with the family during this difficult time.
Nov 9, 2012
This is so sad. Jones was only 19 yrs. old and collapsed and died at hospital after playing for U of Tennessee. My condolences to his family and friends.
Nov 10, 2012
Reminds me so much of Aaron O'neal and Damien Nash. So sad!
Nov 10, 2012
No to mention that the atheletes have insurance through the school.
Nov 10, 2012
All the money the schools make from these players they should provide health insurance along with all the required test to make sure the player has no health issues.