The heat wave that has affected much of North America this summer should remind us of the signs and dangers of heatstroke. Twenty-two years ago, on August 1, 2001, Korey Stringer died of heat stroke at age 27. He was 6′ 4″ tall, weighed 335 pounds and had been an All American tackle at Ohio State University. He became an All Pro lineman for the Minnesota Vikings in 1995.<\/p>\n
At pre-season practice on Tuesday morning, July 31, 2001, the temperature index reached 110 degrees. The Vikings wore full pads and helmets for morning practice, which was a bad decision because extra clothing and padding prevent the body from getting rid of heat.<\/p>\n
Stringer found it very difficult to keep up with the other players, even though he was a great athlete and was, in his own words, \u201cin the best shape of my life.\u201d Stringer vomited three times during practice and complained of weakness and dizziness, collapsed during a drill, and breathed heavily when he walked to an air-conditioned tent. The trainer in the tent observed Stringer\u2019s condition and offered him water. Stringer remained in the tent on an examining table for forty-five minutes, until the trainer called for a cart to take Stringer back to practice. When Stringer rose to meet the cart, he suddenly laid down on the ground and became unresponsive. At this point, the trainer summoned additional help and applied ice towels to Stringer\u2019s body (Sports Law Journal<\/em>, Villanova University, 2005; 12(1)). He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and when he arrived, his temperature was 108.8 degrees.\u00a0 He died the next morning. A very high body temperature cooks the brain so you lose brain functions, stop breathing and your heart stops beating.<\/p>\n