Freshman Tackle at Boise State Dies

Paul Reyna, a freshman defensive tackle at Boise State, died Monday after being hospitalized after suffering a head injury last week.

A statement issued by the school’s athletic department said Reyna, 19, died at 2:20 p.m. PDT in the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho.

Reyna, who attended La Puente Bishop Amat High, suffered a torn blood vessel between his brain and skull, and the bleeding developed into a blood clot.

Surgery immediately after Wednesday night’s injury relieved pressure on Reyna’s brain.

However, sports information director Max Corbet said the damage was too severe and led to Reyna’s death.

Reyna was hurt in Boise State’s first scrimmage of fall practice.

He apparently hit his head on the artificial turf. The 270-pound lineman walked off the field but complained of discomfort while sitting on the bench.

Paramedics administered oxygen and intravenous fluids before taking him to the hospital.

A memorial service, open to the public, is scheduled for today at the Student Union Building on campus.