Breaking: Former Super Bowl Champion Mitch Petrus Dies at Age 32
Former NFL player Mitch Petrus died Thursday from heatstroke.
Petrus — who was on the New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012 — was 32 years old.
He had been working outside all day at this family’s shop in Lonoke County, Arkansas, when he reported feeling ill, Pulaski County Coroner Gerone Hobbs told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Petrus was taken to Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock where he died at 10:45 p.m., the Democrat-Gazette reported.
Hobbs told the Democrat-Gazette that the cause of death was heatstroke.
BREAKING: Former Razorback, NFL player Mitch Petrus dies at 32 after suffering heat-related illness, officials say: https://t.co/blsXZM2eti pic.twitter.com/G90aEyD6aw
— AR Democrat-Gazette (@ArkansasOnline) July 19, 2019
The region was in a heat advisory Thursday as temperatures were in the 90s and the heat index made it feel over 100 degrees.
Petrus was born in Carlisle, Arkansas, and played college ball with the Arkansas Razorbacks from 2006 to 2009.
He made the team as a walk-on, playing tight end, fullback and linebacker, the Democrat-Gazette reported.
In his junior year, Petrus was moved to offensive guard, where he excelled. He was named All-SEC in 2007 at guard and then, after a redshirt year in 2008, was named All-SEC again in 2009. In 2009, he did not allow a sack, the Democrat-Gazette reported.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mitch Petrus. He was an outstanding competitor, incredible teammate and a true Hog. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest easy Mitch. pic.twitter.com/pMToZaWmc3
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) July 19, 2019
The Giants selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. Petrus played in 11 games in his rookie year but didn’t start.
In 2011, he played in six games for the Giants, starting three. He played in the Super Bowl as the Giants upset the New England Patriots 21-17.
HEARTBREAKING.
Mitch Petrus was an absolute joy to work with. His energy and enthusiam were contagious.
He loved Arkansas — and Arkansas loved him. #WPS pic.twitter.com/P3M4ikLprk
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) July 19, 2019
After two seasons with the Giants, Petrus was picked up by the Patriots in 2012. He played in just two games for New England before rejoining the Giants for six games.
He ended that season with the Tennessee Titans, where he played for two games.
That was his last year in the NFL, and he returned back home to Arkansas, the Democrat-Gazette reported.
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