Bowling Green player dies after first practice
Sept. 15, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) -- A Bowling Green football player died at a hospital Wednesday after becoming ill during the first 10 minutes of practice, university officials said.

Aaron Richardson, an 18-year-old freshman, was taken to Wood County Hospital, where he died, athletic department spokesman J.D. Campbell said.

There was no obvious cause of death and an autopsy was planned for Thursday, said Wood County coroner Douglas Hess.

Richardson, a native of Sandusky in northern Ohio, was participating in his first practice as a non-recruited walk-on, Campbell said.

Danny Aaron, Richardson's cousin, said the player collapsed about 5 p.m. Wednesday, after getting checked out by a trainer but complaining "about having a tight chest."

Shawn Robuck, who played football with Richardson at Sandusky Perkins High School, said the team learned of Richardson's death during practice.

"I just lost my desire to practice," said Robuck, a senior. "I just couldn't believe it. He was a great kid to be around. There's nobody I'd rather spend time with."

Robuck said Richardson was dedicated to family, friends and making the Bowling Green football team. Richardson added 15 pounds to his 175-pound frame over the summer by lifting weights, Robuck said.

"He was going to Bowling Green to play," Robuck said. "He wasn't going to stand on the sidelines. I never saw anyone with a will to play like him. He had incredible enthusiasm about everything he did."

Campbell didn't know what Richardson was doing when he got sick.

"The university is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Aaron's passing," said Ed Whipple, Bowling Green's vice president for student affairs.
 

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