Tennessee State DB William Wayne Jones, III collapses during practice, dies at hospital

In this 2012 photo provided by Tennessee State University, NCAA college football player William Wayne Jones is shown. / AP Photo/Tennessee State University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. A Tennessee State freshman defensive back has collapsed during practice and later declared dead at a hospital.

William Wayne Jones, III, a freshman walk-on from Smyrna, Tenn., had just caught a ball and was throwing it to defensive backs coach Ed Sanders when he collapsed Wednesday afternoon. Trainers found the 19-year-old Jones unconscious with no pulse. He was taken to Baptist Hospital where he died at approximately 6:50 p.m. EST, according to a statement posted on the school's athletic website.

Athletic director Teresa Phillips called it a very tragic day for Tennessee State and said in a statement that the university community is devastated by Jones' death.

The Tigers (8-2) have an open date Saturday and conclude the regular season Nov. 17 at Tennessee Martin.

In a statement on the school's website, TSU's president Dr. Portia Shields said the campus would hold a unifying rally on campus to honor Jones.

"Wayne was an outstanding, personable young man, who was on his way to becoming a leader as shown by the skills he exhibited among his friends and team mates," Shields wrote.

[KansasCity-2012]

May God have mercy on this young man, William Wayne Jones III.

For many, it is a dream to die so suddenly and quickly - doing something you love to do.

Rest In Peace.

God be with his family...and extended family.

[rwsmith29456]

Young and strong with his life ahead of him. Very tragic.

[DeborahReed]

HOW MANY MORE? Weare seeing our Children DIE for a CHANCE to Entertain the masses that Pay MONEY to Big Business RICH. True the ones that Make the Team can MAKE HUGE Contract Deals. BUT at the expense of Dying, being CRIPPLED for life, or becoming a disabled person Early in thier Prime Life. When as Parents and Grandparents DO We stop! When does the Schools Stop? Kids are taught as toddlers that to Play games that cause these things to happen are The Most Imporant thing in LIFE! Play HARD and Do these things AND an you MIGHT become a RICH PERSON! Only MIGHT is NOT the key word RICH is what the kids hear and see when looking at the PROS! NOT ALL make the TEAM but they still PAY with serious injuries that affects their life forever and have to accept a low paying job IF not totally unable to support themselves or the family if they can have one after PLAYING HARD! Is IT worth LOSING the CHILD at any age? For the persuit of FAME, and MONEY? It is Hard Enoght for me to have to worry about LOSING one To the Health Problems that CAN NOT be fixed without having to watch them CHASE after a FAST DOLLAR! How DO YOU FEEL?

[caljack430]

While I vaguely agree with the point I THINK you are trying to make... I'm also willing to bet money that this young man was not suffering from a catastrophic injury, but more likely from an unknown heart malformation like many other people. If so, any amount of activity could trigger his collapse and subsequent death.

[OnTheRoad01]

I'm trully sorry that you were unable to leave your house this morning, to walk down an icy sidewalk, get into a car, get to work where some madman might come in and shoot you dead, all for the sake of FAME and MONEY! It must be trully sad to just sit at home all day long each and every day so that Nothing might ever happen to you!!! I trully feel sorry for You!!!!

[Mathmattx]

I hate Theese stories. To young and such a hardworking young man. Prayers go out to the family.