Dylan Steigers, a member of the Eastern Oregon University football team, died Sunday from a head injury suffered at a football scrimmage. He was 21 years old and the father of a two-year-old daughter.
According to a statement from the university, the injury occurred "during the second to last series of plays in the game" on Saturday. The wide receiver managed to walk off the field, but began vomiting on the sidelines.
According to the Missoulian, Steigers graduated Missoula (Mont.) Sentinel in 2006. His former coach says Steiger "was really excited about everything.... He was starting to put things together as far as his future was concerned."
Scroll down for the full statement from the university as well as more from the AP.
Eastern Oregon University statement:
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) - It was a difficult weekend for Eastern Oregon University. On Sunday, Dylan Steigers, a 21 year-old transfer from the University of Montana, passed away from injuries sustained during a spring football scrimmage.
The injury occurred during the EOU Mountaineers football program's spring scrimmage during the second to last series of plays in the game. Steigers left the field under his own power, but later vomited on the sidelines, a sign of concussion. Following protocol, an EOU certified trainer called 911. Steigers was transported to Grand Ronde Hospital, and then sent via LifeFlight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Medical staff told university officials that he suffered an acute subdural hematoma as a result of contact to the head.
"It's hard to describe the emotions we all feel about losing Dylan," said EOU President Bob Davies. "I sat with Dylan's family during the scrimmage, and had the chance to connect with them. Dylan was an exceptional young man who loved to play football, and he had a bright future ahead of him. This is a loss we will feel for a very long time. We are reaching out to Dylan's family in this time of loss."
EOU Head Coach Tim Camp has been in continual communication with the family, and was in Boise until early Sunday morning.
"One of the most difficult situations I think that you could ever be in is when you lose a member of your family," said Camp. "It is very difficult time for our coaches and our players. We will provide these fine young men with the mentoring and help they need to get through this very difficult situation."
Davies noted that the university and its community have been deeply affected by the loss.
"I have received many e-mails, phone calls and messages from members of the local community and beyond -- university presidents, alumni, Foundation trustees and others -- with offerings of support, prayers and asking what they can do to help. The outpouring of support has been amazing."
Steigers had joined the Mountaineer football program this spring after transferring from the University of Montana. He was working out with the team and building his eligibility to play on the team during the fall 2010 season. He graduated from Missoula Sentinel High School in 2006.
He is survived by his parents, Tom and Cindy of Missoula, his 2-year-old daughter London, and partner, Liz.
AP:
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon officials say a football player has died of injuries suffered during the team's spring football game.
Spokesman Tim Seydel says Dylan Steigers took a blow to the head late in Saturday's scrimmage. He walked off the field, but later vomited on the sidelines, a sign of concussion.
The trainer called 911 and Steigers was rushed to the hospital. Doctors said he suffered an acute subdural hematoma as a result of the head injury.
Steigers died Sunday; he was 21.