GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman University defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school's football stadium.
Elizabeth Davis, the school's president, wrote in a letter to the Furman community that the 21-year-old Stanfield died while "surrounded by his family and his Furman family." Davis wrote that, according to medical personnel, Stanfield collapsed at a Wednesday morning workout and was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. No other details were released.
"We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce's sudden passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead," Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in a release on the Paladins athletic department's website. "There are so many more who are really hurting — namely Bryce's teammates, coaches and staff, classmates, friends, and the entire Furman community and beyond."
According to the release, Stanfield was conferred his Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences, magnum cum laude, by Davis in a Friday morning ceremony while surrounded by family members, teammates and coaches.
Stanfield, a 6-foot-2, 268-pounder from Harrison High School and Acworth, Georgia, was a three-year letterman for Furman, earning Southern Conference All-Freshman recognition his first season. Davis wrote that Stanfield, who was preparing for his senior season, had aspirations of attending dental school after graduation.
He played all 13 games for Furman last fall and had 13 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks while helping the Paladins go 10-3 and win the SoCon championship. Furman was the No. 7 seed in the 24-team Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, and after a first-round bye, the Paladins won 26-7 at home against University of Tennessee at Chattanooga — having also beaten the Mocs 17-14 in a regular-season matchup at Finley Stadium in November — to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since a semifinal run in 2005.
Furman lost 35-28 in overtime the following week at Montana, the eventual national runner-up to South Dakota State.
"Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and friend," Hendrix said in Friday's release. "He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense, he was the best representative we could have. His passing is one of the most difficult things Furman football has ever encountered, but our faith and so many wonderful memories Bryce provided us will help sustain us all in the days ahead."
Stanfield was a two-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll selection. He served in Furman's Heller Service Corps Men of Distinction, visited patients at Greenville Children's Hospital and read to children at local schools.
"Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student," Jason Donnelly, Furman's vice president for intercollegiate athletics, said in the release. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from our entire community. Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever."