Autopsy Confirms Herrion Died of Heart Attack

The autopsy report done by the Denver County coroner's office confirmed that San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Thomas Herrion died of a heart attack. Herrion collapsed during a pre-season game in Denver on August 20 and died that same evening.

Apparently, Herrion had been suffering from a form of heart disease that was almost impossible to detect and that is extremely rare in well conditioned athletes.

According to coroner Amy Martin, Herrion suffered from ischemic heart disease with significant blockage in his right coronary artery.

'It's not unheard of, but it certainly isn't extremely common in somebody who is otherwise fairly healthy,' said Martin, a forensic pathologist. 'Usually when it happens in somebody this young, there's some sort of factor that accelerates a process that we usually associate with aging.'

She added, 'One of the biggest factors is genetics. If you're born to a family who is prone to get heart disease, then you're more likely to get it.'

Herrion's father, JC Herrion, had died of a stoke complicated by diabetes just a year ago while his mother has suffered from high blood pressure. With both of his parents having suffering from conditions which could adversely affect the heart, the diagnosis is not unusual.

Herrion's agent, Frederick Lyles, was relieved by the findings in that there were no drugs involved in the incident.

'It really squashes all the speculation regarding his death,' Lyles told reporters. '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's teammates were shocked by the findings, especially since the NFL requires all players to undergo thorough physicals before the beginning of training camp each year. Herrion passed his physical with flying colors.

'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.'

The NFL was more cautious in their comments. League spokesman Greg Aiello remarked, 'Our medical experts have not had an opportunity to review the report. 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.'