Because nobody in the NFL could remember a player ever dying from heat stroke, the death of Minnesota Vikings’ offensive tackle Korey Stringer early Wednesday morning sent shock waves throughout the league.
Stringer, 27, collapsed after Tuesday morning’s practice and was taken to a hospital in Mankato, Minn., where he never regained consciousness. Heat forced the 335-pound Stringer to be taken off the field on a cart during Monday’s opening day of training camp at Minnesota State University, and he vomited three times during Tuesday’s practice, but did not summon a trainer until the session ended.
The Vikings said Stringer had a core body temperature of over 108 degrees and developed multiple organ failure throughout Tuesday.
“Despite all efforts his heart failed at 1:50 a.m. (Wednesday),” the Vikings said in a release.
Because details of Stringer’s death had not yet been released to family members, the Vikings refused to make physicians available Wednesday.
Team trainer Chuck Barta said five other Vikings had heat-related problems Tuesday, when the team worked out in full pads despite temperatures in the low 90s and humidity that pushed the heat index as high as 110 degrees.
Coach Dennis Green is known for holding short practices. Tuesday’s session ran from 9:45 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., only a few minutes longer than usual.
“You recognize you have the heat, you recognize you have to force fluids down them, you also use ice towels to keep them cool on the outside so they don’t sweat as much,” said Barta, who did not discuss specific measures used on Stringer.
The only training camp death the NFL could recall was St. Louis Cardinals tight end J.V. Cain in 1979 from a heart condition complicated by drug abuse. In 1971, Detroit Lions receiver Chuck Hughes died on the field in a game against the Bears in Detroit, also from a heart condition. In 1948, Chicago Cardinals tackle Stan Mauldin died of a heart attack in the locker room following the season opening game.
Stringer’s death came six days after University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin died six days after collapsing of heat stroke.
According to research at the University of North Carolina, 18 high school or college players have died of heat-related causes since 1995. The Centers for Disease Control reported that 400 Americans die from heat stroke each year.
“We’ve lost a brother, a teammate and a friend,” said a shaken Green at a Wednesday morning news conference. “I love him like a son.”
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, “All of us in the NFL family are stunned and saddened by the death of Korey Stringer. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Kelci and son, Kodie.”
Tagliabue added that although the dangers of heat stroke are well known and that NFL medical staffs are well-versed in prevention, “we now will ensure that our clubs again review their policies and procedures in this area.”
Teams throughout the league expressed sorrow and alarm, because the issue of dealing with the heat is constantly stressed.
“The fact we’ve had none before is evidence of what we do,” said Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian. “Every team takes very, very stringent methods to see to it players are constantly hydrated and conditioned. It comes as a shock that this kind of thing could happen because we spend so much time–all of us–trying to avoid it. A player from the ’60s wouldn’t recognize the practices that go on today.”
Like all training methods in all sports, the NFL long ago evolved from the days when coaches deprived players of liquids during workouts.
Said Green Bay Packers’ coach-general manager Mike Sherman: “Unfortunately, we live in a society that always wants to put blame right away on people and I don’t think anyone is in position to do that. We will research what happened and make sure we have identified a possible problem that could exist here. I’d never say it couldn’t happen here. When you step on the field, everyone is at risk. It’s a wakeup call to all of us. I don’t want to be reactionary, I hope we’re precautionary. We try to force hydration all the time.”
Miami Dolphins trainer Kevin O’Neill, who deals with extreme heat more than many of his peers, said he, like all trainers, stresses drinking fluids before exertion because by the time athletes get thirsty, they already have started to get dehydrated.
O’Neill also said he sees more problems at the start of training camps when players first insulate their bodies with helmets and shoulder pads.
“Your body is going to go through an adaptation period to that insulation,” O’Neill said. “In science it’s called specific adaptation to impose demand, the SAID principle. And if you impose those demands on your body, your body will adjust. It takes a period to do that. Typically that is why we have more guys who get volume depleted in the early part of camp.”
Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, former Vikings’ offensive coordinator, said, “Every team in the league opens training camp with a lecture on hydration.”
At their Wednesday morning news conference, the Vikings deflected questions about Stringer’s reaction to the heat. In a news release, they said he walked to an air-conditioned shelter after practice and developed symptoms of heat stroke including weakness and rapid breathing.
“I know everyone is going to talk about the heat. It’s hot everywhere,” said teammate Cris Carter. “For everything in life, there’s not an explanation for. What was the weather? We’re not going to go into that. We still have 79 players on the field.”
At 335 pounds, the 6-foot-4-inch Stringer was overweight, like many NFL players who bulk up. But the Vikings insisted he was in the best physical condition of his career. Because Stringer had trouble with the heat Monday, former NFL player Mike Golic of ESPN speculated he was embarrassed and pushed himself even harder Tuesday.
Other NFL players agreed in the highly competitive sport they must walk a fine line between preserving and pushing their bodies.
“We are always taught to `suck it up,'” said San Diego linebacker Junior Seau.
George Young, NFL vice president of football operations, conducts frequent seminars with coaches that include lectures by doctors on preparing athletes to play. Every team routinely weighs players before and after practices to monitor weight loss. During games, players often receive intravenous fluids.
“Being in the best shape is the most important thing,” Young said. “Heat stroke always has been talked about. Trainers always are aware of dealing with that, especially during games. We haven’t had that much trouble during practices. Athletes are bigger now. Maybe that’s a factor. I have no real facts in this case. It’s a sadness.”
Said the Colts’ Polian: “Every team prepares for the maximum kinds of situations because we do play in Phoenix, in Jacksonville, in Miami. That is why this comes as such a shock to all of us.”
Said the Dolphins’ O’Neill: “I feel very badly for the Minnesota staff. I’m sure they were well prepared going into camp for it.”
Stringer’s last days
MONDAY
– Heat forces Stringer to leave the opening day of practice. He is taken off on a cart.
TUESDAY
– Morning: Stringer vomits three times during morning practice, which is played in full pads. That session runs a few minutes longer than is usual, from 9:45 a.m. to 12: 10 p.m. Stringer does not summon a trainer until the session ends.
– Afternoon: Stringer develops heat stroke symptoms, including weakness and rapid breathing. He collapses and is taken to a hospital in Mankato, Minn.
– Tuesday night: A team of doctors works to save Stringer, but his body temperature is 108 degrees when he arrives at the hospital.
WEDNESDAY
– 1:50 a.m. Stringer’s heart fails.
STRINGER’S CAREER
– Ohio State: Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, 1993 and 1994.
– Vikings: Played in first his Pro Bowl in 2000. Ranked 7th in club history for starts by a tackle (91).
– Personal: Age 27. Survived by his wife Kelci, son Kodie.
