20-year-old Northern Michigan football player dies shortly after morning workout

Anthony Herbert Northern Michigan

Tuesday saw the tragic death of a college football player. Division II Northern Michigan University announced Tuesday afternoon that 20-year-old sophomore Anthony Herbert passed away earlier in the day, shortly after a morning workout with teammates.

According to the school, Herbert woke up normally Tuesday, worked out, ate breakfast, returned to his dorm, and then there in his room suffered a sudden medical emergency.

“What caused his passing is unknown at this time, and right now our concern is for Anthony’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and team staff, teachers and fellow students,” Northern Michigan president Fritz Erickson said.

Herbert was the starting left guard in 11 games for the Wildcats last year. The 6-4, 313-pound lineman’s death comes one day after it was revealed that three Oregon players were hospitalized last week after intense strength and conditioning workouts. We don’t yet know if Herbert’s death has any connection to his workout, but the timing may cause some to ask questions about that. For now, though, Northern Michigan is in mourning:

“Anthony’s passing is felt deeply by many,” Director of Athletics Forrest Karr said. “He made a positive impact on our campus and was everything we hope for in a student-athlete. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates, and we are focused on supporting them during this difficult time.”

Herbert was a Construction Management major and received all-GLIAC academic team honors after doing well in classes during the fall semester.

“In my brief time with Anthony, I could tell that he was a great young man,” said head football coach Kyle Nystrom. “He was well respected by his coaches and teammates and was a leader on the offensive line. We are devastated by this tragedy, and we are keeping his family in our prayers.”

[The Sporting News]

About David Lauterbach

David is a writer for The Comeback. He enjoyed two Men's Basketball Final Four trips for Syracuse before graduating in 2016. If The Office or Game of Thrones is on TV, David will be watching.

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