Former New York Giants Lineman Mitch Petrus Dead At 32 — Here's What We Know
Rest in peace, Mitch Petrus.
The world was literally shocked when Mitch Petrus, formerly and famously of the New York Giants, died suddenly. What was even more shocking is, of course, how he died and what he died from. How did Mitch Petrus die?
Here's what we know about this sudden and unfortunate tragedy.
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1. Mitch Petrus was only 32 years old when he died.
According to CNN, who was one of the first to report on his death, Mitch Petrus was only 32 years old when he passed away suddenly.
"Petrus fell ill Thursday evening after working outside at his parents' shop in Lonoke County, Pulaski County Coroner Gerone Hobbs said. He was taken to Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock just before 9 p.m. and was pronounced dead just before midnight, Hobbs said," according to the outlet.
2. He had a long career with the Giants.
According to ProFootball, Mitch Petrus "was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the seventh guard to be selected that year. He played in 17 regular-season games with three starts. In the 2011 season, the Giants finished with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs. He appeared in all four 2011 postseason games, including the Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots. Petrus was waived on September 2, 2012 after the Giants were awarded offensive tackle D. J. Jones on waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones failed his physical with the Giants and Petrus was re-signed the next day. On November 3, Petrus was released by the Giants after tight end Travis Beckum was activated." He also had a brief career with the Titans and the Patriots.
3. Mitch Petrus died in Arkansas.
According to Hot New Hip Hop, after Mitch Petrus finished his football career, he concentrated on his family's business in Arkansas. And it was here that he, unfortunately, passed away.
"Petrus had been working outside at his family's shop in heat that was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. His death comes at the same time that a heat advisory was delivered to those living within Arkansas. This dangerous heat warning is spilling into Friday so people in Arkansas should be wary of venturing outside," reported the outlet.
4. Mitch Petrus died of a heat stroke.
According to Fox News, Mitch Petrus died of a heat stroke. He was originally admitted to the hospital on Thursday, and passed away on Friday, June 19th, 2019.
"Pulaski County Coroner Gerone Hobbs said Petrus died Thursday night at a North Little Rock hospital. Arkansas is in the midst of a heatwave, like most of the rest of the U.S. Petrus had worked outside all day at his family shop and his cause of death is listed as heat stroke, the coroner said," according to the outlet.
5. What is heatstroke and how can you avoid it?
Since the country is in the middle of a heat wave, the following information is available from the Mayo Clinic on how to spot, and avoid, heatstroke.
"Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher. The condition is most common in the summer months. Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death," they said, adding that it's imperative to keep hydrated, and indoors, during extreme heat temperatures.
Our thoughts are with Mitch Petrus and his family during this difficult time.
Bernadette Giacomazzo is an editor, writer, and photographer whose work has appeared in People, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly, The Source, XXL, HipHopDX, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, and more. She is also the author of The Uprising series. For more information about Bernadette Giacomazzo, click here.