Tragic news out of Maine as a University of Maine football player collapsed and died during preseason workouts on Tuesday.

According to the Press Herald, freshman Darius Minor collapsed during a supervised workout. Members of the UMaine training staff was on the scene but was unable to resuscitate him, nor were local first responders were arrived soon after.

“Words cannot express the grief that we have following this tragic loss,” UMaine head football coach Joe Harasymiak said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go to Darius’ family and friends during this terrible time.”

Interim athletic director Jim Settele said, “UMaine athletics is devastated by this terrible accident. We extend our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected.”

The 18-year-old Minor came to Maine after a standout football career at Orange County High School in Orange, Virginia, He was an All-Central Virginia first-team wide receiver and second-team defensive back in his senior season. He was projected to be a defensive back for the Black Bears and was in his third week of freshman workouts.

Unfortunately, Minor’s death continues a disturbing trend. Between 2000 and 2016, two NCAA football players die on average each season, per the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. 27 of the 33 deaths recorded did not involve contact or a collision, which was the case for Minor.

Sadly, 2018 has already met that average. Maryland lineman Jordan McNair was hospitalized following an organized team workout and died shortly thereafter from complications related to seizure potentially related to heatstroke. His parents recently hired a prominent lawyer in their quest to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

[Press Herald]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.