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Oklahoma football player Austin Box was found unconscious at a house died later on Thursday, authorities said.
El Reno police said that paramedics were sent to a house in El Reno, Oklahoma where a friend reportedly said he believed the 22-year-old Box had overdosed, the Oklahoman reported.
A police spokesman said there were prescription drugs found at the house.
"The university family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of student-athlete Austin Box. Our hearts go out to his family and friends," Oklahoma University president David Boren said in a statement.
Box, a linebacker from Enid, Oklahoma, started the last five games for the Sooners last season after missing the first half of the season with a back injury.
He earned his degree last weekend, but still had another season of eligibility and planned to play in the fall.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops was traveling at the time of Box's death, according to the newspaper, but released a statement saying "We're all shocked and heartbroken."
"Austin was a great young man, a great young man to coach and a great teammate. He played an integral part in our success the last three years and was looking forward to a big senior year," he said. "As heart-wrenching as this is for us, we know it's even more difficult for his family. More than anything, our thoughts and prayers are with them."
On Twitter, Box's teammates began to express their shock and dismay at Box's death.
"Austin Box the sooner family will miss you brother! You are in a better place," redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Bell tweeted.
By Thursday afternoon more than 1,000 people joined a Facebook group "RIP Austin Box".
"Heaven needed a linebacker," one mourner wrote.
El Reno police said that paramedics were sent to a house in El Reno, Oklahoma where a friend reportedly said he believed the 22-year-old Box had overdosed, the Oklahoman reported.
A police spokesman said there were prescription drugs found at the house.
"The university family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of student-athlete Austin Box. Our hearts go out to his family and friends," Oklahoma University president David Boren said in a statement.
Box, a linebacker from Enid, Oklahoma, started the last five games for the Sooners last season after missing the first half of the season with a back injury.
He earned his degree last weekend, but still had another season of eligibility and planned to play in the fall.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops was traveling at the time of Box's death, according to the newspaper, but released a statement saying "We're all shocked and heartbroken."
"Austin was a great young man, a great young man to coach and a great teammate. He played an integral part in our success the last three years and was looking forward to a big senior year," he said. "As heart-wrenching as this is for us, we know it's even more difficult for his family. More than anything, our thoughts and prayers are with them."
On Twitter, Box's teammates began to express their shock and dismay at Box's death.
"Austin Box the sooner family will miss you brother! You are in a better place," redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Bell tweeted.
By Thursday afternoon more than 1,000 people joined a Facebook group "RIP Austin Box".
"Heaven needed a linebacker," one mourner wrote.
There's still lots of uncertainty, and that will continue until the results of Austin Box's autopsy are released, but more details surrounding the Oklahoma linebacker's death emerged in the 24 hours since it happened.
The Tulsa World, The Oklahoman and The Associated Press all brought new information to light.
El Reno Police Chief Ken Brown said officers and medics responded to a call at a house in the town about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City at about 9:25 a.m. concerning an unresponsive male "with unknown medical issues." Brown identified the man as Box and said he first was taken to an El Reno hospital, then transferred by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.
You can hear the 911 call on the Tulsa World's website. The police report is also available.
Police are investigating whether drugs were involved in Box's death, based on comments made to police.
According to the police report, El Reno police officer Todd Ward said that upon arriving at the house, he made contact with John Cobble III, who had identified himself to an emergency dispatcher as J.T. Cobble, who is the son of Tom Cobble, who was Box's high school football coach in Enid.
Ward said in the report Cobble III was performing CPR on Box and that "Cobble told me when I entered the room Box was in he believed he had overdosed." On the police report, under the offense category "controlled dangerous substance" is listed, and Ward checked the "drugs" box under a category listing possible/probable motivation.
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables made a statement and spoke to media briefly on Thursday night. The emotional video can be found on Oklahoma's website.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops is out of the country. Venables said on Thursday night that grief counseling is being made available 24/7.
The Box family also released a statement through Mercy Health Center on Thursday afternoon.
"The Box family wishes to express their appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy from across the state," the family said. "We particularly want to thank the University of Oklahoma, the coaching staff and players for their kindness and support. Austin loved everything about Oklahoma -- the people, his hometown of Enid and his many close friends. Most of all, Austin loved his family and we loved him. We invite you to join us in celebrating his life."
The Tulsa World, The Oklahoman and The Associated Press all brought new information to light.
El Reno Police Chief Ken Brown said officers and medics responded to a call at a house in the town about 30 miles west of Oklahoma City at about 9:25 a.m. concerning an unresponsive male "with unknown medical issues." Brown identified the man as Box and said he first was taken to an El Reno hospital, then transferred by air ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.
You can hear the 911 call on the Tulsa World's website. The police report is also available.
Police are investigating whether drugs were involved in Box's death, based on comments made to police.
According to the police report, El Reno police officer Todd Ward said that upon arriving at the house, he made contact with John Cobble III, who had identified himself to an emergency dispatcher as J.T. Cobble, who is the son of Tom Cobble, who was Box's high school football coach in Enid.
Ward said in the report Cobble III was performing CPR on Box and that "Cobble told me when I entered the room Box was in he believed he had overdosed." On the police report, under the offense category "controlled dangerous substance" is listed, and Ward checked the "drugs" box under a category listing possible/probable motivation.
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables made a statement and spoke to media briefly on Thursday night. The emotional video can be found on Oklahoma's website.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops is out of the country. Venables said on Thursday night that grief counseling is being made available 24/7.
The Box family also released a statement through Mercy Health Center on Thursday afternoon.
"The Box family wishes to express their appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy from across the state," the family said. "We particularly want to thank the University of Oklahoma, the coaching staff and players for their kindness and support. Austin loved everything about Oklahoma -- the people, his hometown of Enid and his many close friends. Most of all, Austin loved his family and we loved him. We invite you to join us in celebrating his life."
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