College football player dies suddenly after collapsing at practice

Sacramento City College football player Justin McAllister collapsed after a practice and couldn't be revived. He was 19 years old.

The college football community is mourning the loss of Sacramento City College player Justin McAllister, who died after collapsing at a recent football practice, according to the Sacramento Bee. He was 19 years old.

McAllister, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound freshman offensive tackle, suddenly had trouble breathing after a regular 20-minute conditioning test at the school's stadium. He then went to the team's locker room to compose himself, where he collapsed. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

"McAllister was loaded into the back of the ambulance after paramedics worked to revive him as stunned Panthers teammates watched in disbelief," the Bee reported.

McAllister had passed a physical examination, a requirement for a player to play in high school or college sports, and he did not experience any other known health issues, and coaches say he was not pushed beyond normal physical exertion.

Sacramento City College quarterback Sean Nixon reacted to the tragedy.

“It was a normal conditioning day, like we do after every game, and then it became a horrible Monday," he said. "We didn’t know what was going on, but we knew it was bad. We did a team prayer in the parking lot when the ambulance left. It makes no sense. It’s a scary reminder of how precious life is.”

(Bee)

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