U-Maine Football Player Died From A Heart Condition

Officials say a heart condition caused the death of a University of Maine football player who collapsed during practice.

The State Medical Examiner's office says the cause of death for Darius Minor was acute aortic dissection with cardiac tamponade. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease was a contributing factor in the sudden death of the 18-year-old during a light practice last month.

First year football players often take a summer course to get a jump on the year, since they're going to be at the campus earlier than others for freshman workouts. Minor was in his third week when he died just under a half hour into practice.

His coaches have said that he had previously passed a physical. Head coach Joe Harasymiak says that no one will wear Minor's number 39 for the next four years.

There's no word on whether Minor was aware of his heart condition.