Bryce Stanfield.Photo:AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman
Furman University is mourning the loss of student athlete Bryce Stanfield, who died on Friday after collapsing during a team workout on Wednesday morning. He was 21.
Dr. Elizabeth Davis, president of the Greenville, S.C.-based school, confirmed the football player’s death ina letterto the Furman community on Friday.
“Bryce, a junior health sciences major from Acworth, Georgia, was a defensive tackle on the Paladins Football team,” she continued. “According to medical personnel, Bryce collapsed unexpectedly at a morning workout on Wednesday. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was placed on life support.”
“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and friend,” he said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense he was the best representative we could have.”
Hendrix added, “His passing is one of the most difficult things Furman football has ever encountered, but our faith and so many wonderful memories Bryce provided us will help sustain us all in the days ahead.”
Bryce Stanfield played for the Furman Paladins football team.Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Charles Mitchell/Icon Sportswire via Getty
In a touching tribute, Jason Donnelly, Furman’s VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, called Stanfield “a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student.”
“Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever,” Donnelly added in the release.
A three-year letterman for the Paladins, Stanfield played in all 13 of the team’s games this past season, racking up 13 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He helped the team to a 10-3 record and the 2023 Southern Conference championship title.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Furman said plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
source: people.com