22-Year-Old UMD Football Player Dies After Cardiac Arrest
The University of Minnesota-Duluth Athletics Department shared some tragic news Wednesday morning.
Reed Ryan, a senior defensive lineman for the UMD Bulldogs football team passed away Tuesday (November 28) at the age of 22 years old.
Reed started his collegiate football career as a red-shirt freshman at NDSU, transferring to Duluth to play at UMD for his senior year and to double-major in marketing and professional sales.
According to a release from UMD Athletics, Reed passed away at Essentia Health in Duluth. His former coach at NDSU said he suffered a cardiac arrest a week ago, on November 21.
UMD Football Head Coach Curt Wiese shared a statement on Reed's passing, saying the following:
"Our staff and players are devastated about Reed's passing. Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, our department, and our community a better place in a short period of time. Reed will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever. He was the epitome of a UMD Bulldog, and what we can all aspire to be. To his family, thank you for allowing us to be part of his inspiring young life. Reed was a Bulldog through and through."
UMD Director of Athletics Forrest Karr also provided a comment, saying:
"Reed was a kind, caring, and thoughtful young man who enjoyed bringing people together. He grew up in my hometown and was beloved by those who knew him in Waunakee, Fargo, Duluth, and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reed's family and friends during this time of sorrow. We are grateful for everyone who is supporting Reed's teammates and our staff members."
Ryan grew up in Waunakee, Wisconsin, graduating from Waunakee High School in 2019. During his time at NDSU, he was part of two NCAA Division I AA FCS National Championships - in 2019 and 2021. He also earned numerous academic honors.
A memorial wake will be held this Friday, December 1, with a funeral service to be held on Saturday, December 2 back in his hometown area in Wisconsin.
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