UPDATE: University Reveals Cause Of Death For 21-Year-Old College Football Player Who Collapsed During Workout

WLTReport previously reported on the tragic passing of Furman University football player Bryce Stanfield.

Stanfield collapsed during a workout at Paladin Stadium.

Afterward, he was taken to the hospital and placed on life support.

21-Year-Old College Football Player Dies After Collapsing During Workout

FOX Carolina reported:

His coaches said he had a back strain that had limited what he could do before practices started, but it was something he had been dealing with and was being rehabbed to get ready for the season. They were not aware of any other medical issues.

In a letter to Furman University’s campus on Friday, President Elizabeth Davis said Stanfield passed away surrounded by family. In a private ceremony, Stanfield’s Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, was issued. The entire football team was allowed to be in his hospital room for the ceremony.

“We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce’s sudden passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield, and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead,” Furman head coach Clay Hendrix said.

“There are so many more who are really hurting — namely Bryce’s teammates, coaches and staff, classmates, friends, and the entire Furman community and beyond,” Hendrix continued.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and friend.  He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense he was the best representative we could have.  His passing is one of the most difficult things Furman football has ever encountered, but our faith and so many wonderful memories Bryce provided us will help sustain us all in the days ahead,” he added.

Furman University revealed Stanfield’s cause of death to The Post and Courier.

Stanfield’s cause of death was a pulmonary embolism.

Autopsy report concludes that the cause of death of a 21 year old college football player was pulmonary embolism.https://t.co/VyhnhCICfL https://t.co/Z4atqyRnZG pic.twitter.com/uofSwTOivr

— Tessa💜🐒 (@DrTessaT) February 23, 2024

The Post and Courier reports:

The sudden death of a Furman University football player in early February after he collapsed during a team workout was unrelated to football, the university told The Post and Courier.

Bryce Stanfield, a 21-year-old junior defensive lineman, died Feb. 9 after he collapsed during a morning workout at Paladin Stadium two days prior.

An autopsy concluded Stanfield’s cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, unrelated to football, Furman spokesman Clinton Colmenares said.

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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Stanfield, a health sciences major from Acworth, Ga., had no signs of sickness or injury besides a back muscle strain ahead of the workout Feb. 7, Furman head coach Clay Hendrix said during a news conference following Stanfield’s death.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player and friend,” Hendrix said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school.”

After Stanfield collapsed, he was rushed to Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition and put on life support, school officials said.

Furman University mandated the experimental COVID-19 shot and boosters.

College football player, Bryce Stanfield collapsed and died during a workout. @FurmanU required vaccination and boosters.

Take every last dollar from them. pic.twitter.com/PFDw3jkAO4

— Vance Murphy (@vancemurphy) February 9, 2024

“Wofford College and Furman University are the only colleges in South Carolina mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for students enrolling for fall classes,” Furman News reported in 2021.

Per Furman News:

For state-supported institutions, there is no such requirement despite the American College Health Association’s recommendation that colleges implement COVID-19 vaccination directives for all on-campus students, barring those with medical exemptions.

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In The State, Clinton Colmenares, Furman’s director of news and media strategy, said, “We saw what was happening nationally and took into consideration the advice from the CDC and the state. We want to get back to normal operations and really the best way for us to do that is to require vaccinations.” The State reported that students may request an exemption from the requirement for religious or medical reasons, or due to a “strong personal objection,” Colmenares added.

FOX Carolina reported in 2022 that Furman University would require COVID-19 boosters for students.

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