Reed Ryan, a senior defensive end for the University of Minnesota Duluth died unexpectedly Tuesday.
He was just 22 years old.
The university did not disclose a cause of death, but per an obituary, Ryan went into cardiac arrest — that stemmed from an undetected genetic heart condition — while he worked out in the weight room with the Division II football team on Nov. 21.
Duluth training staff immediately gave him CPR and was then taken care of at St. Mary’s-Duluth, according to the obituary.
The school announced he died one week after the incident at Essentia Health in Duluth.
“Our staff and players are devastated about Reed’s passing,” UMD head coach Curt Wiese said in a statement. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. 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.”
Ryan was in his first year with Duluth after spending his first three seasons with North Dakota State, where he recorded four total tackles over eight games.
He was twice given the Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award.
“Our team had a bunch of heavy hearts yesterday,” North Dakota State head coach Matt Entz said Wednesday, according to the Star Tribune. “Bison nation is thinking of [Ryan’s family].”
In his one year with Duluth, Ryan excelled with a career-high eight total tackles, two of which went for a loss.
Duluth’s athletics department lauded the high character Ryan, a Wisconsin native, displayed on and off the field.
“Reed had a positive impact on so many and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” UMD director of athletics Forrest Karr said in a release. “Reed was a kind, caring and thoughtful young man who enjoyed bringing people together. He grew up in my hometown and was beloved by those who knew him in Waunakee, Fargo, Duluth, and beyond.”
Funeral services will be held on Saturday in Middleton, Wisconsin.