19-Year-Old Freshman Football Player Dies After Collapsing During Workout

A freshman football player at Henderson State University died Wednesday after he collapsed during a 12-minute run that is part of a physical examination.

Charles Mitchell of Malvern, Ark., collapsed Tuesday evening and died more than 12 hours later at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. A hospital spokesman said Mitchell, 19, died of renal failure but that an autopsy would be performed.

A Henderson official said prospective football players run for 12 minutes, and then officials check their blood pressure and pulse. Mitchell, an all-around athlete who played tight end in football, completed about three laps around the field when he collapsed.

Twice an All-District selection in football, the 6-foot, 193-pound Mitchell was All-State last year. He was also an All-District basketball player, lettered in track and played catcher and first base for the Senior Babe Ruth team that won the state title.

“We deeply regret the loss of Charles Mitchell,” Henderson President Martin Garrison said in a statement. “We are saddened by his untimely death. Every possible action was taken by the university and the medical people involved to help him. The loss is shared not only by his family and friends but also by Henderson.”