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CNN Live At Daybreak

Vikings Player Stringer Dies from Heat Stroke

Aired August 01, 2001 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The summer heat wave in the Midwest has led to several deaths. The latest victim is offensive tackle Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings. Stringer died of heat stroke this morning at a hospital in Mankato, Minnesota. The Pro Bowl linemen developed symptoms yesterday after the Viking's practice in 98-degree heat. Now when he was admitted to the hospital, stringer's body temperature had risen to 108 degrees. Korey Stringer never regained conscious, and he died at 1:50 Central Time this morning.

Joining us on the telephone is Dave Hansen. He is with Minnesota station KMSP and on the road out to Mankato to cover this story.

Excuse me, Dave, what do you know right now about what happened?

DAVE HANSEN, KMSP MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA: At this point, Carol, we are -- have very limited details, as for the Minnesota Vikings. What we know is some of the details that you laid out. Obviously, it's a very sad day here in Mankato for the Vikings, a very sad day across the state of Minnesota and across the country for Vikings fans.

As you said, offensive tackle Korey Stringer died just before 2:00 this morning due to complications from heat stroke. He had been working out in full pads both Monday and Tuesday, and yesterday, he was working out in 90-degree temps, but it felt more like it was 110, 116 degrees here in Mankato.

Now he got sick after yesterday morning's practice. As you said, his body temperature was around 108 degrees, and he never regained consciousness after they took him to the hospital. That of course lead to organ failure, and his heart stopped just before 2:00 this morning.

Now, the Vikings say he was in the best shape he had ever been since joined the team as a first-round draft pick in 1995. The guy big guy, 6' four, 335 pounds, and he had dropped a good amount of weight. So he was really in good shape. Apparently, he got sick both days at camp. Camp started on Monday, and he got sick after practice, both Monday and Tuesday. He is survived by his wife and 3-year-old son. He was Very active in the community, and he was also quite a commanding presence in the locker room, and we are told he is going to be sorely missed.

Aside from his death, this is very timing for the Vikings. Obviously they wanted to shore up their offensive line. The season is coming up very soon, and they are also on a very limited practice schedule, because they have their first preseason game in about two weeks. So they aren't going to be able to stay in camp as long as they liked. So obviously very devastating for the Vikings in a number of ways.

In the statement this morning, the Minnesota Vikings said the "Hearts and prayers of all Viking family are with the Stringer family, and the Vikings are expected to have more to say about Korey Stringer's death a little later on this morning.

LIN: Sure, It's really hard to believe when looking at video of him in the picture of health right there.

Thank you very much, Dave Hansen, KMSP.

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