Ted Agu collapses, dies at 21

BERKELEY, Calif. -- California football playerTed Agu died Friday after collapsing during a training run with his teammates. He was 21.

"This is one of those tragedies that no one can understand and comprehend," an emotional coach Sonny Dykes said at a news conference.
"Ted was a very special young man. As a coach, you have the opportunity to be around a lot of special kids day in and day out. He was a special young man. He just had a passion and energy for life that's contagious. He will be deeply missed. Our players loved him dearly and he was a big part of our family."
CBSSports.com, citing an unnamed source, reported that Agu had sickle-cell trait, a condition that is the leading cause of death among NCAA Division I football players since 2000.
California/Collegiate Images/Getty ImagesCal defensive lineman Ted Agu, a senior-to-be who made six tackles in seven games last season for the Golden Bears, died Friday morning. He was 21.


A Cal spokesman would not confirm Agu's sickle-cell trait condition, according to the report, and there has been no link between the condition and Agu's death.
"At this time, we are precluded by law to comment on any other medical details and out of respect for his family and this situation, we will honor that," said Cal spokesman Herb Benenson, according to CBSSports.com.
Team physician Dr. Casey Batten also would not confirm the condition when contacted by ESPN.com's Kyle Bonagura.
"We can't really address that at this time," Batten said.
An official cause of Agu's death won't be available for six to eight weeks. His death is now considered a coroner's case.
Agu was on a training run near Memorial Stadium with his teammates early Friday morning that was supervised by multiple members of the team's medical staff.
Batten said the medical staff saw he had difficulty completing the workout and he was transferred by cart about 150 yards to the stadium.
"He was on the back of the cart, he was talking, he was hydrating, he did not exhibit any labored breathing or other signs until he got to the north tunnel," Batten said.
He then collapsed when he got to the medical facility at the Simpson Center at the stadium around 7 a.m., and emergency medical personnel were alerted and Agu was given CPR. He was quickly taken to Alta Bates Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Batten said Agu never had any previous problems with workouts or practice during his time at Cal.
"I've been with Ted since he got here and he's never had any problems during any workout or practice," Batten said.
Agu's teammates were told of the death at an emotional team meeting Friday morning.
"They and we are devastated," athletic director Sandy Barbour said. "We lost an incredible young man. Our student-athletes have lost a brother who they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with in the classroom, on the athletic fields and in this community. We are all hurting."
Barbour said the school is providing counseling sessions for the other players.
Agu was a defensive end from Bakersfield who was going to be a fifth-year senior next season. He was majoring in public health. He arrived at campus as a walk-on before earning a scholarship last year. He played seven games last season, recording six tackles. Agu, who was called the "ultimate team guy" by Dykes, played five games the previous two seasons.
"He's a walk-on who came here because he loved the game," Dykes said. "He played a lot for us last season, played some on scout team. When on the scout team, he attacked that with the same vigor as he prepared for games. He's someone who had a passion for life, loved to learn, loved to laugh. He had a great sense of humor. He's just a special young man."
Agu was remembered fondly by other players. Freshman offensive lineman Erik Bunte called Agu the "best example of a true Cal football player" on his Twitter account.

Freshman defensive back Cameron Walker wrote on his Twitter account that he loved Agu and appreciated all he did to help ease his transition to college.

"You were a blessing to all of us and it hurts so bad to know that I'll never walk next to ur locker again and hear your voice speaking to me," Walker wrote. "You left too soon. But ur in a better place now & we all have another guardian angel watching over us. I love you, Ted. I miss you already. I'll never forget you, Pre-Med Ted. You and your family are in my prayers."