SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman
Thomas Herrion had heart disease and evidence of previous heart
trouble when he collapsed and died after a preseason game last
month, an official in the Denver County coroner's office said
Tuesday.
The coroner's findings confirmed the beliefs of Herrion's family
and friends, who were certain drugs played no role in Herrion's
death Aug. 20. Herrion's heart condition was caused by factors that
are often nearly undetectable, though fairly rare in a 23-year-old
athlete in good physical condition.
"It really squashes all the speculation regarding his death,"
said Frederick Lyles, Herrion's agent. "They appear to be very
thorough in their analysis. Hopefully, now people really get off
the idea that these guys are overweight, or that drugs or steroids
were involved in any way."
Herrion had ischemic heart disease, with significant blockage in
his right coronary artery that caused the death of heart muscle,
according to Amy Martin, a forensic pathologist and deputy coroner
in Denver. Herrion's heart was slightly enlarged, a condition that
could be related to anything from heart disease and high blood
pressure to heredity.
Martin also said the autopsy revealed scar tissue from a recent
episode in which blood was restricted to his heart -- but Herrion
probably didn't even realize it.
"From the time that he died, something happened a week or so
earlier," said Martin, who found microscopic evidence of
organizing heart necrosis.
"Whether he was aware of that was not clear. There are a lot of
instances where people have heart attacks and are not aware of
them, especially when your jobs requires you to do things that
require you to get hurt. He may not have thought much about it."
Herrion weighed about 335 pounds at the time of his death,
Martin said. The 6-foot-3 athlete was roughly comparable in size to
dozens of NFL linemen -- and the 49ers believe Herrion's
cardiovascular fitness was outstanding.
Drug screens on Herrion's blood and urine found only atrophine,
a drug administered when medical personnel tried to revive him.
There's no indication Herrion's enlarged heart was caused by high
blood pressure, Martin said.
Lyles spoke to Herrion's mother after the report was released.
"She's having some roller-coaster days," Lyles said. "She was
really happy with the outcome. She's just trying to get some
closure, and this will help."
The ebullient lineman, a favorite among his teammates, was on
the field for San Francisco's final touchdown drive in a 26-21 loss
to Denver, playing exceptionally well and joking with team staff
members after it was over.
Players had just finished reciting the Lord's Prayer in the
locker room after the game when Herrion collapsed. Though team
doctors and medics immediately reached the lineman and took him to
the hospital, he couldn't be saved.
"I'm definitely shocked and surprised that someone so young and
also in such good shape as Thomas Herrion could have a heart
attack," said 49ers offensive lineman Eric Heitmann, one of
Herrion's friends. "Thomas passed all the tests at the beginning
of the year, and that's what makes this a shock to everybody."
All NFL players receive complete medical exams from their club,
including evaluation of their cardiovascular systems, EKG tests,
blood tests and chest X-rays, according to the league's collective
bargaining agreement. Stress tests are given at the discretion of
the clubs' physicians, though the 49ers' medical staff wasn't
available to reporters Tuesday.
Herrion repeatedly passed all tests with the 49ers, the club
said earlier.
"Our medical experts have not had an opportunity to review the
report," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "But based on what we
know so far, this may be a case of an unfortunate hereditary
condition that is not easily detected, even by the regular and
thorough cardiac screening used by NFL clubs. Unfortunately, even
young people can be struck without warning by a heart attack."
Herrion, a second-year pro who grew up in Fort Worth, Texas,
played two successful college seasons at Utah. He spent part of
last season on the San Francisco and Dallas practice squads and
also played this spring with the Hamburg Sea Dogs of NFL Europe.
The 49ers held a memorial service in Herrion's honor three days
after his death. At his Aug. 27 funeral in Fort Worth, he was
remembered as a player who brought joy to everyone and who was
dedicated to his family, his religion and to football.
Herrion's helmet, pads and gear still hang in his locker near
the entrance to the 49ers' locker room at their training complex,
along with photos of the lineman in action and at play.
"He was always a real healthy kid out there," Heitmann said.
"He never missed a snap, never missed a play. I don't remember him
ever complaining about fatigue."