Greenville News: Furman Football Player’s Sudden Death Unrelated to Practice

GREENVILLE —

The sudden death of Furman University football player Bryce Stanfield in early February after collapsing during a team workout was confirmed by the university to be unrelated to football, according to The Post and Courier.

Bryce Stanfield, a 21-year-old junior defensive lineman, passed away on Feb. 9 after collapsing during a morning workout at Paladin Stadium two days earlier. An autopsy determined that Stanfield’s cause of death was a pulmonary embolism, which was unrelated to football, stated Furman spokesman Clinton Colmenares.

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that obstructs blood flow to an artery in the lung, as detailed by the Mayo Clinic.

Stanfield, a health sciences major from Acworth, Ga., showed no signs of illness or injury apart from a back muscle strain before the workout on Feb. 7, noted Furman head coach Clay Hendrix during a press conference following Stanfield’s untimely passing.

Coach Hendrix expressed his fond memories of Stanfield, describing him as an outstanding young man and an exceptional student, football player, and friend. He emphasized Stanfield’s integral role in the program and school community.

After collapsing, Stanfield was swiftly transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition and placed on life support. Before his passing, the university held a small, private ceremony to award him with a posthumous bachelor of science degree, magna cum laude.

Stanfield played a significant role on the Paladins’ defense, participating in all 13 games last fall and accumulating 13 tackles, with four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.