Prospect OG Heath Benedict found dead [mergedx2]

[DW Toys]

http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Newsfla...h_26_2008.html

Promising small college potential NFL draft choice passes away.
Written by John Murphy
Thursday, 27 March 2008

Newberry (SC) senior offensive lineman Heath Benedict was found dead this afternoon at his apartment in Florida, according to local authorities.

Benedict, who began his career at Tennessee, played in the Senior Bowl this past January and just last month took part in the NFL Combine.

He was chosen to play in several post-season all-star games after earning several accolades at the Division II level, including being nominated as the top small school lineman in college football this past season, an award named after Gene Upshaw.

Benedict was just 21 years old and according to his agent, C.J. Laboy of Octagon, he died of natural causes, but no further details were released by either the local authorities or his family.

In closing, I would like to offer the Benedict family, his girlfriend, teammates and coaches our sincere thoughts and prayers, having met him on several occasions and talking with him over the past two years we have not only lost a future NFL talent, but a fine young man and friend today.

[jeffbiologist]

With all due respect, as a biologist, what natural causes kill a 22yr old professional athlete in his prime?? There is more to this....my condolences to his family.

[JackPMiller]

This was found by radjohns on a Rams board

http://www.nfldraftbible.com/Newsfla...h_26_2008.html

BREAKING NEWS: '08 Draft Prospect Found Dead
Written by John Murphy
Thursday, 27 March 2008

Newberry (SC) senior offensive lineman Heath Benedict was found dead this afternoon at his apartment in Florida, according to local authorities.

Benedict, who began his career at Tennessee, played in the Senior Bowl this past January and just last month took part in the NFL Combine.

He was chosen to play in several post-season all-star games after earning several accolades at the Division II level, including being nominated as the top small school lineman in college football this past season, an award named after Gene Upshaw.

Benedict was just 21 years old and according to his agent, C.J. Laboy of Octagon, he died of natural causes, but no further details were released by either the local authorities or his family.

In closing, I would like to offer the Benedict family, his girlfriend, teammates and coaches our sincere thoughts and prayers, having met him on several occasions and talking with him over the past two years we have not only lost a future NFL talent, but a fine young man and friend today.

[PATSNUTme]

I was just looking at this kid last night as a possible late round OG prospect.

What a shame.

[37Harrison]

This was on my local news channel last night. This guy was huge, 6'5" or so and about 325-330 lbs., died of natural causes. Although I believe he was 24 not 21 years old. Putting two and two together it seems as though he died of a heart attack. Always sad to see a young persons life cut short.

[SamBamsFan]

Apparently died of natural causes.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3314762
Profile (draft countdown):
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sco...hbenedict.html

[mojocaster.com]

RIP

Way too flippin' young, too...

[BradyManny2344]

Real sad story, 21 and dying of natural causes.

[ctpatsfan77]

Originally Posted by jeffbiologist

With all due respect, as a biologist, what natural causes kill a 22yr old professional athlete in his prime?? There is more to this....my condolences to his family.

With all due respect, what field of biology do you study? I can think of several things, mostly related to undiagnosed heart problems such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or a patent foramen ovale (which might someday have killed Tedy Bruschi, had it not been caught).

Maybe there is more to it, maybe there isn't. But can we at least wait for some sort of evidence before we try to ascribe this to foul play or illegal behavior?

[zarakotas5]

Yeah, lots of things can naturally occur within the body resulting in death.