COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Cal defensive back Bryce Turner dies near SoCal home after medical emergency.
Cal cornerback Bryce Turner died Saturday, the school announced, nearly a week after suffering a medical emergency in Southern California while home for the holidays.
Turner, 19, a redshirt sophomore, was being treated at a hospital near his hometown. School officials and family offered no details on his medical condition.
“We are so deeply saddened by Bryce’s passing,” Bears coach Justin Wilcox said in a statement released by the school. “This is an extremely difficult day for everyone. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Bryce’s family, friends, teammates and so many others who have been a part of his life.
“No words can accurately describe the pain we feel in our hearts right now. We’ll always remember Bryce and how he impacted all of us with Cal football.”
In the statement, Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton said: “Our hearts are broken with this unimaginable tragedy. Bryce was a young man with a bright future and a valued member of our football team and
the Cal family. His life was taken far too soon and he will be deeply missed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family, friends, teammates and coaches during this difficult time, and we will do all that we can to support each other, his family, our students and the entire Cal community through the grieving process.”
Turner’s medical episode reportedly occurred during a personal workout near his family’s home in Lakewood on Sunday, while the players were on holiday break.
According to 247 Sports, Turner collapsed, was hospitalized, then fell into a coma.
“He was a great kid, really good player and known great teammate,” said Greg Biggins, a Southern California-based recruiting analyst who covered Turner during his prep career. “He was always smiling.”
Turner attended St. John Bosco — he was a teammate of current Cal cornerback Traveon Beck — and then Long Beach City College for one year.
He joined the Bears as a walk-on in 2017 and played in one game this year.
“Man tears won’t stop falling as i type this,” Beck wrote on Twitter. “we been rocking since 7th grade at Tetzlaff.. then high school at Bosco now College at Cal. Words can’t explain how i feel but i love you brother. Never would i have thought I’d have to bury one of my bestfriends. See you in heaven.”
Turner’s death is the second such tragedy to strike the Cal program in the past five years.
Ted Agu, a 21-year-old defensive end from Bakersfield, died in 2014 after collapsing during an offseason conditioning drill.