A senior football star for the University of Minnesota Duluth football team has passed away.
According to the University, Reed Ryan, a defensive lineman, was working out in the team’s weight room on November 21 when he went into cardiac arrest. He was just 22 years old.
In a statement from his family, Ryan passed away on November 29 one week after suffering a cardiac arrest. It was reported that Ryan had a genetic heart condition no one knew about.
His obituary reveals Reed Ryan was “doing what he loved” when he passed away. “This was the result of an undetected genetic heart condition and a large, loving heart. The athletic training team was tremendous in their efforts to immediately initiate CPR and regain his pulse.”
Ryan’s coach Curt Wiese said Ryan’s teammates are devastated. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand,” Wiese said.
“He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, our department, and our community a better place in a short period of time. Reed will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever. He was the epitome of a UMD Bulldog, and what we can all aspire to be. To his family, thank you for allowing us to be part of his inspiring young life. Reed was a Bulldog through and through.”
Prior to spending his fifth year of eligibility with UMD, Ryan played four years of college football while a student at North Dakota University under a full-ride scholarship. Ryan would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on December 27.
Ryan was also a talented wrestler. “He was a three-time Commissioner’s Academic Excellence award winner, a four-time Missouri Valley Football Honor Roll member, and earned three championship rings. He was committed to his lead role in Christian Athlete groups, his spirituality, and God.”
In the end, Ryan fulfilled his love of helping others after donating several organs to those in need. “Even in death, Reed was thinking of how he could help others and donated several organs, additionally Reed will be an important part of a NCAA research study to help prevent this from happening to other athletes.”
Rest in peace.
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