The cause of death has just been revealed for the 21-year-old student at the Air Force Academy, a seemingly healthy young man who played football, who died while walking across the academy’s campus on his way to class. As a reminder for those who don’t remember that tragic death, we reported that:
A twenty-one-year-old football player at the United States Air Force Academy died suddenly while walking from his dorm room to class Monday morning, outlets are reporting this evening.
Hunter Brown was an offensive lineman from Louisiana who collapsed on campus whom emergency personnel could not revive following the sudden medical emergency.
USAF’s Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, said in a statement that Brown was both a “standout on the field” and a “well-respected” member of his squadron.
“Hunter was a standout offensive lineman on the Falcon football team and was well-respected in his squadron,” he said. “The entire U.S. Air Force Academy mourns his loss, and our hearts and condolences are with his family, his squadron, and all who were touched by this incredible young man.”
USAF’s head football coach Troy Calhoun echoed those same sentiments in a statement of his own, noting that Brown’s parents “raised a wonderful son” who made everyone around him “a better person.”
With heavy hearts we share the loss of a cadet.
C3C Hunter Brown died Monday after suffering a medical emergency while on his way to class.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and fellow cadets.#NeverForgotten pic.twitter.com/amPlznZqTC— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) January 10, 2023
Now, the cause of death for Hunter Brown has been revealed by an autopsy conducted by Dr. Jarod Murdoch. According to that doctor, Hunter died because of complications from a foot injury. Here’s what Dr. Murdoch said:
“Based on the history, scene investigation, autopsy, virology, and toxicology findings, it is my opinion that Hunter Brown, a 21-year-old white male, died as a result of pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis resulting from Lisfranc injury of the left lower extremity.
“The overall findings are consistent with this being an accidental death originating from an injury sustained during football practice several weeks prior to death.”
The Western Journal reported further details about his foot injury that Dr. Murdoch said Hunter had and what other complications could have been a factor in his health, saying:
Brown, who was 6-foot-3 and 292 pounds at the time of his death, had undergone surgery for a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in November, The Gazette of Colorado Springs reported.
Lisfranc injuries “result if bones in the midfoot are broken or ligaments that support the midfoot are torn,” according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“A low-energy Lisfranc injury can happen with a simple twist and fall,” AAOS said. “It is also commonly seen in football and soccer players when one player lands on the back of another player’s foot while the foot is flexed downward in the push-off position.”
The autopsy also found Brown had an enlarged liver, heart and spleen at the time of his death, according to The Gazette.
Air Force Academy head football coach troy Calhoun described Brown as a “pure joy,” saying “Our players, staff and entire Academy have been so blessed and fortunate to have Hunter as a part of our lives. He was a pure joy to coach and have as a teammate.”
By: Will Tanner. Follow me on Twitter @Will_Tanner_1
Featured image credit: screenshot from embedded tweet
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