Oregon St. freshman DT Fred Thompson, who enrolled at OSU last winter term, and was officially a grey-shirt this season, unexpectedly and suddenly passed away from an apparent heart attack he suffered this evening at the Dixon Rec. Center on campus, while playing basketball.

Thompson collapsed on the court at approximately 6:20 PM PST, and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, at 7 PM, where he was pronounced dead.

Thompson was 4 days short of his 20th. birthday.

Thompson, a 6'4', 317 pound DT, was from Richmond, CA, and played at Oakland Tech High School.

Thompson suffered a shoulder injury in spring ball, which kept him out of action this season, forcing him to red-shirt. He was considered by Coach Mike Riley to be a key player in his future plans, and was expected to anchor the interior of the defensive line for the Beavers next season.

Riley has cut short a recruiting trip, and is enroute back to Corvallis.

Oregon St. safety Ryan Murphy, who was also a teammate of Thompson at Oakland Tech, accompanied Thompson to the hospital.

Oregon St. will have a press conference, and a release with more details, at 1:30 PM PST Thursday.

Web-Tribute to Thompson is here.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com