This is such a sad story. A kid who did what he needed to do by not only getting to play division I football, but have the grades to start school early. It hits home because I have a younger brother who’s currently playing D-I football and he’s a receiver too and they’re going through drills now. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

University of Central Florida football player Ereck Plancher died today after collapsing after a workout in preparation for the opening of the Knights’ spring practice.

Plancher, a redshirt freshman receiver from Naples, died shortly after being taken by ambulance to Florida Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.

Players were leaving the Knights’ indoor practice facility, Nicholson Fieldhouse, when Plancher collapsed, UCF associate athletic director Joe Hornstein said. He said the incident did not occur during the workout.

“My goal was to try to get a 4.0 [grade-point average] in the spring so I could get off to a good start,” he said. “I wasn’t worried about playing time. I just wanted a chance to find my way around.”

Read More [ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-bk-ucf031808,0,2076167.story?track=rss ]

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