Arkansas redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Uekman, 19, has died.
Uekman was pronounced dead at approximately 12:10 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Washington Regional Medical Center, according to the U. Arkansas press release.
The cause of death is unknown, said UAPD Lt. Matt Mills. Uekman was in cardiac arrest when first responders arrived on the scene at 11:20 a.m., five minutes after a roommate found him unconscious and unresponsive in his Northwest Quad dorm room.
“Garrett Uekman was a special member of our family, and we are all saddened by his passing,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “His loss is a terrible shock, and it makes you realize how precious life is. Garrett was a great teammate and loved being a Razorback. My sympathies are with his entire family during this incredibly trying time, and I share in their grief. Our team will honor and show our respect to Garrett.”
The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder appeared in nine of 11 games this season after redshirting in 2010. He was a graduate from Little Rock Catholic high school.
There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Uekman’s death, Mills said.
The Little Rock native was last seen playing video games by a roommate at about 10:15 a.m., then found by another roommate at 11:15 a.m. Emergency services were called two minutes later.
Uekman’s parents, Danny and Michelle, were contacted when Uekman was being transported to the hospital and arrived in Fayetteville Sunday afternoon. The Uekman family issued a statement through the university.
“Our son was living his dream of going to the U of A and playing football for the Razorbacks,” the statement said. “He loved his school, his coaches, and his teammates and classmates, and was an influence and inspiration to so many people. We ask for your love and prayers for Garrett, our family and his friends as we all cope with this heavy and painful loss.
“Meanwhile, we ask for respect and privacy during this time of grief.”
A team meeting was called Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and the players were informed of their teammate’s death. Many Razorback players took to Twitter shortly after learning the news.
“Garrett Uekman rest in peace my brother Watch over us as we continue to chase the dream u started with us. I love u and will forever miss u,” junior running back Knile Davis tweeted.
“Baby G…..RIP…… DOG POUND 4 EVER,” fellow tight end Chris Gragg wrote, referencing the nickname the tight ends gave the unit.
“Prayers out to Uekman family I know they are having a difficult time. He’s in a better place. R.I.P. Garrett dog pound 4 life,” senior running back Broderick Green tweeted.