A 22-year-old senior football player at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Ryan Reed, tragically passed away on November 28th after experiencing cardiac arrest during a team workout session on November 21st. The University released a statement confirming Reed’s death, attributing the cardiac arrest to an undetected genetic heart condition. According to his obituary, Reed, known for his positive attitude and caring nature, had “a large, loving heart.”
The incident occurred in the weight room, and immediate CPR was administered by the athletic training team to restore Reed’s pulse. St. Mary’s-Duluth hospital’s Intensive Care Unit staff reportedly made significant efforts to save him.
About Tragic Passing of University of Minnesota Duluth
UMD head football coach Curt Wiese expressed the team’s deep sorrow over Reed’s passing, highlighting Reed’s commitment to personal improvement and his positive influence on others. Wiese mentioned Reed’s positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for those around him, stating that Reed had a positive impact on the program, department, and community during his time at UMD.
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Originally from Waunakee, Wisconsin, Reed received the 2018 Tim Kumrie Award for the most outstanding high school senior defensive lineman in Wisconsin. He was also honored as the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Large Schools Defensive Player of the Year. Prior to joining University of Minnesota Duluth, Reed spent four years with the North Dakota State University football team on a full scholarship, contributing to their NCAA Division I AA FCS National Championships in 2019 and 2021.
Reed was not only a talented football player but also excelled in high school wrestling, achieving 100 career wins over four years.
The unfortunate incident adds to a series of cardiac-related events among athletes. In a similar occurrence in July, Bronny James, son of NBA star LeBron James, experienced cardiac arrest during a University of Southern California basketball team workout due to an underlying congenital heart defect. Fortunately, he has since been cleared to return to the court.
