A junior defensive back at Western Carolina, Ja'Quayvin Smalls, has died after participating in a voluntary offseason workout -- just one day after passing his physical.
Western Carolina spokesman Daniel Hooker says Smalls collapsed Wednesday and was pronounced dead about 7:30 p.m. at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva.
The school says he collapsed while running during an evening workout session. Observers said Smalls had complained of cramps at the beginning of sprint exercises and had been removed from the lineup to stretch.
The workout was the first for Smalls, who enrolled in Western Carolina's summer school. He had transferred from Georgia Military College, where he ranked second in tackles.
(posted 07/09/09)
WCU Football Player Dies
Posted: Thursday, July 9 2009, 10:35 AM CDT
