College Football Player Dies After Suffering Cardiac Arrest During Team Workout

University of Minnesota Duluth football player Reed Ryan died on Tuesday, a week after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a team workout, according to his obituary. 

The senior defensive lineman, 22, who had “a large, loving heart,” had an undetected genetic heart condition, his obituary said. 

He was “in the weight-room doing what he loved,” when he collapsed, according to his obituary. 

After Ryan collapsed, the school’s athletic trainers performed CPR and were able to restore his pulse. 

He was taken to St. Mary's-Duluth Medical Center, where the ICU staff “were amazing in doing everything possible for him,” his obituary said. 

“Reed had a contagious smile and lived life to the fullest in his short years,” the obituary reads.  

“Reed loved people, he could talk to anyone and prided himself on being surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and being part of a team.”

He is survived by his parents, his sister, his brother,  two nephews, a grandmother, his great-aunt, two uncles and his dog. 

A native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Ryan was a 2019 graduate of Waunakee High School and named the most outstanding high school senior defensive lineman in Wisconsin. He was also a wrestling standout, his obituary said. 

Ryan went on to play football at North Dakota State on a full scholarship for four seasons, then transferred to the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

Ryan was enrolled in UMD Labovitz School of Business and Economics, double majoring in marketing and professional sales. 

“Our staff and players are devastated about Reed's passing," UMD head football 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.”