Minnesota Vikings Player Korey Stringer Dead From Complications From Heat Stroke

By Dave Campbell The Associated Press Published: Aug 1, 2001

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - A 335-pound offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings died Wednesday from heat stroke after practicing in punishing temperatures, prompting the NFL's commissioner to order a review of teams' training exercises. Korey Stringer, 27, died a day after collapsing at training camp. He was weak and breathing rapidly after the team's morning practice on Tuesday, when the temperature soared to the mid-90s.

As Stringer's teammates mourned, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said Wednesday that he has asked all 31 teams to review their rules on training.

"When this happens, it should cause everybody to wake up," Cleveland Browns president Carmen Policy said.

Viking Randy Moss had to be helped from the podium as he sobbed during a news conference Wednesday. "I don't even know how or when I'm going to get over this," he said.

"It's a shock," said teammate Cris Carter. "There's nothing that can prepare you for something like this. The amount of hurt this has on our team - we are devastated."

Football doesn't usually allow much time for contemplation on the dangers of the game. And for players like the 6-foot-4 Stringer, who struggled earlier in his career to keep his weight under control, the pressure to keep up can be brutal.

Stringer, who had started 91 of his 93 NFL games and made the Pro Bowl last season, apparently felt he had to prove himself on Tuesday after being taken off the field on a cart the day before.

"I know sometimes a lot of big guys will say they feel weird or like they are going to pass out and I think the first thing a lot of coaches will say is, 'They're out of shape.' So a big lineman might not want to go to a coach when they're feeling bad," said Jamar Nesbit, a 330-pound guard for the Carolina Panthers.

Stringer's death came six days after 18-year-old University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin died. Days earlier, Autin had collapsed of heat stroke following a workout. Figures from the University of North Carolina show that 18 high school or college players have died of heat-related causes since 1995.

The only other NFL training camp fatality is believed to be J.V. Cain, a tight end for the St. Louis Cardinals, who died of a heart attack on July 22, 1979, his 28th birthday. Chuck Hughes, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, died of a heart attack in 1972 during a game against the Chicago Bears.

Many teams weigh players before and after practice. If they lose more than 4 or 5 pounds, they may be given liquids.

But coaches acknowledge that they like hot weather, which melts away off-season pounds.

"You need the heat to get into condition," Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "When it gets hot and humid, you have big guys who can lose 20 to 30 pounds in a single day, and that's all dehydration."

---

On the Net:

http://www.vikings.com

AP-ES-08-01-01 1808EDT

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2001

Answers

Shaken Minnesota Vikings Practice as State Begins Investigation Into Lineman's Death

By Dave Campbell The Associated Press Published: Aug 2, 2001

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - Filing past bouquets and balloons left by grieving fans, the Minnesota Vikings returned to practice Thursday as the state began investigating the heatstroke death of tackle Korey Stringer. With much cooler weather than the day the 27-year-old Stringer collapsed, the Vikings went through light workouts and insisted that rules and precautions have been followed during the team's practices.

The 6-foot-4, 335-pound Stringer was overcome by heat after finishing Tuesday morning's practice in stifling humidity and temperatures in the low 90s. He died 15 hours later.

James Honerman, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, said the agency met with Vikings officials Thursday "and they were very cooperative."

State officials are talking to the team about training staff received regarding heat-related illnesses, he said. Such investigations are routine in a workplace fatality.

Offensive line coach Mike Tice, who helped shape Stringer from an overweight lineman into a Pro Bowl player, insisted the tackle showed no warning signs and the coach never considered ordering Stringer to take a break.

"It didn't look like he needed one," said Tice, who led the linemen in a prayer as they huddled before Thursday's practice. "He didn't look like he needed water. He looked good on film, too. He had a fantastic practice."

Tice said Stringer had been embarrassed Tuesday by a newspaper photo that showed him doubled over during Monday's practice. Some Vikings reportedly needled Stringer about the picture.

"He wasn't really thrilled with that picture," Tice said. "He was out to prove he was a leader."

At a news conference after an 80-minute morning practice, coach Dennis Green brushed aside medical questions and became angry when pressed.

"I'm not going to sit here and act like I have answers as far as what happens when a tragedy occurs, but I'll answer questions about the game of football," Green said.

Thursday's workout was cut short by 25 minutes, and the atmosphere was low-key, with less than the usual chatter from coaches and fans. The heat and humidity had subsided, with temperatures in the 70s.

"A lot of good things happened on the field, and I think we took a small, baby step that's important to keep the team together," Green said.

The Vikings had several counselors on hand to talk with players.

Stringer's family, including wife Kelci and 3-year-old son Kodie, issued a statement thanking the public for its support.

"The only thing that we ask as we embark on our future without Korey is that you understand our need for privacy," the statement said. "We just need time."

AP-ES-08-02-01 2141EDT

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001