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Arkansas redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Uekman was found dead in Fayetteville early Sunday morning. The cause of death is not yet known.
The coroner who examined Arkansas tight end Garrett Uekman said Tuesday that Uekman suffered from a heart condition that may have led to his fatal cardiac arrest Sunday morning, according to the Associated Press.
The condition, called cardiomyopathy, causes the heart to become enlarged and often goes undetected until it's too late, which appears to be the case for Uekman, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman who was seen by his roommate playing video games in his dorm room not long before his death. Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said the university wasn't aware the freshman tight end suffered from any condition.
From the AP:
Uekman's toxicology report came back with no indications of improper drug use, Morris said. He said the manner of death was natural. University police have said there were no suspicious circumstances about Uekman's death.
Thousands of people turned out for a candlelight vigil held Monday night on Arkansas' campus in Uekman's honor. Arkansas chancellor G. David Gearhart and football coach Bobby Petrino were among those who spoke, according to ArkansasOnline.com:
Uekman's death has rocked the UA campus just days ahead of the football program's biggest regular season game in more than four decades. The No. 3 Razorbacks will play at No. 1 LSU on Friday.
Choking back tears, Petrino said the team would play the game at the request of the Uekman family.
"To the outside world, we will take the field without number 88," Petrino said. "They could not be more wrong.
"Garrett will be there in the heart and soul of every Razorback that takes the field, sits in the stands or watches on TV. He is part of us and will be forever."
For more on the Razorbacks, visit Razorbacks blog Arkansas Expats.
The Arkansas Razorbacks have announced a Monday night candle light vigil in memory of Garrett Uekman, the freshman tight end who was found dead in his dorm room Sunday morning. Put together by the student government, it will be held at 8 pm CT in the Bud Walton Arena.
Athletic director Jeff Long commented Sunday night on Uekman's passing, saying the late player would've wanted his teammates to continue on without him in uniform. Grief counselors have been made available to Razorbacks players by the school.
Uekman was discovered unresponsive in his dorm at 11:15 am, not long after being spotted playing video games and apparently healthy. He was pronounced dead at 12:10 pm after suffering cardiac arrest.
Get more details and track the latest updates on this tragedy with SB Nation's Garrett Uekman StoryStream. For more on this story and perspective from Arkansas fans, visit SB Nation's Razorbacks blog Arkansas Expats.
More sad details have emerged from the death of Garrett Uekman on Sunday morning, with reports now saying that the 19-year-old was in cardiac arrest when responders showed up at his dorm room. When Uekman was last seen alive, around 10:15 a.m. this morning, he was reportedly in good health according a roommate. He was found an hour later and taken to Washington Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:10 p.m.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino released a statement on Uekman's passing, calling the redshirt freshman tight end "a special member of our family."
"Garrett Uekman was a special member of our family, and we are all saddened by his passing," Petrino said. "His loss is a terrible shock, and it makes you realize how precious life is. Garrett was a great teammate and loved being a Razorback. My sympathies are with his entire family during this incredibly trying time, and I share in their grief. Our team will honor and show our respect to Garrett."
Uekman's head coach at Little Rock Catholic High School also spoke, expressing his shock upon hearing the news.
"I was just stunned," said Ellis "Scooter" Register, who was Little Rock Catholic's head coach when Uekman played at the school. "I didn't get up out of my chair for 30 minutes. ...
"It just goes to show you how really fragile life is. We can't take anything for granted. He was so young, vibrant and strong. He had his whole future in front of him."
Uekman's family released a statement through the University of Arkansas, as well, calling for prayers in the wake of their loved one's untimely death.
"Our son was living his dream of going to the U of A and playing football for the Razorbacks. He loved his school, his coaches, and his teammates and classmates, and was an influence and inspiration to so many people. We ask for your love and prayers for Garrett, our family and his friends as we all cope with this heavy and painful loss. Meanwhile, we ask for respect and privacy during this time of grief."
Get more details and track the latest updates on this tragedy with SB Nation's Garrett Uekman StoryStream. For more on this story and perspective from Arkansas fans, visit SB Nation's Razorbacks blog Arkansas Expats.
Garrett Uekman's passing was confirmed in statement released Sunday evening by the University of Arkansas, Nicole Auerbach of USA Today shares.
Garrett Uekman, a University of Arkansas student and a member of the Razorback football team, has passed away today at the age of 19.
Uekman, from Little Rock, was pronounced dead this afternoon at Washington Regional Medical Center.
More information will be released shortly.
Uekman, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman tight end, was found dead in his dorm room Sunday morning. A team meeting was promptly scheduled for 1:30 in the afternoon in response to the news. The cause of death is still unknown, though an autopsy has been scheduled, hopefully shedding some light on the untimely tragedy.
Get more details and track the latest updates on this tragedy with SB Nation's Garrett Uekman StoryStream. For more on this story and perspective from Arkansas fans, visit SB Nation's Razorbacks blog Arkansas Expats.
Arkansas football player Garrett Uekman was found dead in his Fayetteville dorm room early Sunday morning, according to a report from KNWA/KARK's Adam Alter. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Matt Jones confirmed the report.
The cause of death was not immediately known. The Washington County coroner told KNWA that Uekman's body will be brought to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
The Arkansas and college football communities have responded to the tragedy by voicing mourning and well wishes on Twitter. Uekman's Arkansas teammates Knile Davis wrote, "Garrett Uekman rest in peace my brother Watch over us as we continue to chase the dream u started with us. I love u and will forever miss u."
As for official word from the school, an Arkansas media relations official emailed USA TODAY that he will not confirm the report or issue a statement "until family (has been) properly informed."
Uekman, a redshirt freshman tight end, was 19 years old. The Razorbacks, who ascended to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 this week, will play at top-ranked LSU on Friday.
Get more details and track the latest updates on this tragedy with SB Nation's Garrett Uekman StoryStream. For more on this story and perspective from Arkansas fans, visit SB Nation's Razorbacks blog Arkansas Expats.
Arkansas' Garrett Uekman was found dead in Fayetteville early Sunday morning, according to KNWA/KARK's Adam Alter. The team called a 1:30 p.m. (EST) team meeting in response to the tragic news, Alter also reported.
Uekman was found in his dorm room, according to KARK. It is unclear what caused Uekman's death. No further details are available at the moment.
Uekman was a redshirt freshman tight end for the Razorbacks, but had not recorded any statistics in the 2011 college football season after redshirting in the 2010 season. He was from Little Rock, Arkansas.
This tragic death casts a pall over what looked like the most important week for Arkansas football in recent memory. It comes less than a day after Arkansas defeated Mississippi State to set up a match-up with LSU that could decide the SEC West, and this afternoon's report comes mere hours after the Razorbacks moved to No. 3 in the Week 13 USA Today coaches poll and the Week 13 AP Poll, potentially setting themselves up for a BCS National Championship Game berth.
For more on this story and perspective from Arkansas fans, visit Arkansas Expats.
PHOTO: Arkansas Remembers Garrett Uekman With Ribbon
by Jason Kirk
The Arkansas Razorbacks have a big game to play, and they have to do it with heavy hearts. In memory of tight end Garrett Uekman, who was found dead in his dorm room last weekend (photo via @cjzero):
Nov 25 2:47p