Authorities said the death of a north Philadelphia prep school football player who collapsed during a workout was due to natural causes stemming from a cardiac condition.
The Philadelphia medical examiner's office said Wednesday that 15-year-old Ryan Gillyard of Upper Darby died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes thickening of the heart muscle.
St. Joseph's Prep officials said the freshman collapsed shortly after warmups April 18 at the school's practice field. He was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials said Gillyard played for the team as a linebacker and running back and also played basketball at St. Denis Catholic school in Havertown.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
