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CNN Live At Daybreak

Minnesota Vikings Player Dies From Heat Stroke

Aired August 01, 2001 - 08:54   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: We have had some breaking news this morning -- and certainly bad news.

Korey Stringer, Minnesota Vikings, 27 years old, died very early this morning. He apparently -- his body temperature at the time of practice, where it was 98 degrees outside -- his body temperature reached 108 degrees -- obviously, an investigation going on right now -- and a big blow to the Minnesota Vikings family.

Joining us right now on the telephone is Dr. Fred Mueller. He is with the UNC Chapel Hill. He is the chair of the Exercise and Sports Science Department -- to talk a little bit more about exactly what might have happened to Korey Stringer and some of the rules and regulations about practice.

Good morning, Doctor Mueller.

DR. FRED MUELLER, UNC CHAPEL HILL: Good morning, Carol. How are you?

LIN: I'm doing very well.

Now, I know that you're not Korey Stringer's doctor, but you can talk to us about what exactly happens in practice and when is it that the coaches should know that their player is in trouble.

MUELLER: Well, you know, we've been collecting data -- there is in data available since 1931 on the number of heat stroke deaths over the years. The highest number, back in 1970, was 18 stroke deaths.

And numbers have been down to zero many years. But in the last five years, six years, there have been a number of heat stroke deaths across the country -- actually 17 across the country -- mostly high school and college heat stroke deaths.

LIN: Well, he was practicing in full pads. It was 98 degrees outside.

MUELLER: Yes.

LIN: In a situation like that -- I mean, 98 degrees -- it's summertime -- where do you draw the line for your players?

MUELLER: Well, I think you have to be aware of the heat and also the humidity. In some cases, the humidity is more important than the temperature. And when you're in full gear, most of your body is covered with football gear, with the helmet and all the other pads. So there's not much evaporation taking place.

And you have to have real concerns and keep a watch over the players.

LIN: So from your research, then, what do you tell coaches in terms of the guidelines as they conduct these practices when their players should be off the field or at least certainly not in full pads?

MUELLER: Well, they should, first of all, be acclimatized to the heat so they're not in the full uniforms for the first time in the serious heat, making sure that there's plenty of water and rest times for the players on the field -- maybe go in the cooler part of the day or in the evening. But know what the temperature and humidity is. And gauge your practices by that.

LIN: I don't want to make any assumptions in the case ,though. I mean, Korey Stringer apparently had a history of some health problems. But your theory there, is it something -- it is a situation where the coaches should have known better? Or is it something that perhaps could be attributed to his previous health problems?

MUELLER: I just heard about this this morning, so I don't really know any of the details. But there's a possibility it could be attributed to some other health problems. So I can't really say.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, Dr. Fred Mueller.

MUELLER: OK.

LIN: Lots of questions about this story.

Offensive lineman Korey Stringer with the Minnesota Vikings dead at the age of 27 from heat stroke.

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