University of Maine Football Player Collapses and Dies During Workout

A University of Maine football player who collapsed during a preseason and died has been identified.

According to a statement released by university officials the player was identified as Darius Minor, 18, from Locust Grove, Virginia.

The first-year defensive back was in his third week of workouts with the team this summer when the incident occurred. Officials say he was one of 17 freshman participating on July 24 when he collapsed approximately 15 minutes into the workout. University training staff and first responders were unable to resuscitate the teen.

Joe Harasymiak, head football coach, extended his condolences to the Minor family in a statement on Tuesday. “Words cannot express the grief we have following this tragic incident,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Darius’ family and friends during this terrible time.”

Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Darius Minorhttps://t.co/nMrEe44Q96 pic.twitter.com/4kWBAaKpau

— Maine Football (@BlackBearsFB) July 25, 2018

Many organizations on the UMaine campus have expressed their devastation in the loss of the fellow student-athlete. Reports show that students have started a memorial for Minor at the New Balance Field House and Memorial Gym located on campus.

Memorial starting for Darius Minor on campus #mesports pic.twitter.com/gXYSsdI3yp

— Eric Gullickson (@gullysports) July 25, 2018

According to the Washington Post, Minor is the second college football player to die during a workout this summer. In May, Maryland redshirt freshman Jordan McNair collapsed of a heat stroke and later died June 13.