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Projected NFL Draft Pick Found Dead

Posted: 2008-03-27 17:12:26

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 27) - Heath Benedict, a two-time Little All-American offensive lineman from Newberry College in South Carolina, was found dead on a couch in his home.

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Jacksonville police said no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old Benedict, a 6-foot-6, 326-pounder who finished up his senior season in the fall and left school to train for next month's NFL Draft. He was nine hours short of a business degree.

Benedict took part in the Senior Bowl in January, the first Division II player to do so since 2004, and was invited to last month's NFL combine.

''He was a big, tough man, but he had a very gentle heart,'' Newberry president Mick Zais said. ''He was a teddy bear.''

Benedict, who redshirted at Tennessee in 2002 before moving to Newberry, was a native of the Netherlands. He played high school football at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J.

Jacksonville police spokesman Ken Jefferson said Benedict's body was taken to the medical examiner's office to determine the cause of his death. He was found dead Wednesday evening.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-03-27 11:34:37

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645 comments

kreidy5504 04:06:49 PM Mar 28 2008

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6'6" 320 pounds??? The guy probably suffered from high blood pressure for years. My 14 year old son has high blood pressure and is an athlete. Even after having it for a short time, an ultrasound of his heart showed that it had thickened due to the high blood pressure. My son is six foot and 185 pounds and not an ounce of fat on him. Get your kids blood pressure checked. It could mean the difference.

brendenb4 02:29:47 PM Mar 28 2008

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It is very sad when someone loses a life but especially when it is way too soon. But when it is your time to go it is your time to go. The almighty must have had plans already for him. Sometimes you wonder if it is fair but it is not for the person to judge only one person does that and we all know who I am talking about. OK if you need a hint think of the bible. Peace everyone and GOD bless. Another hint there lol.

steelbosseagle 01:45:20 PM Mar 28 2008

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Truwriter, well put............

janetsflash 01:30:17 PM Mar 28 2008

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such a heartbreak.......so sorry

grannygumtoo 12:44:43 PM Mar 28 2008

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hey btheresa34...I guess you never sat down before. .Do you stand to take a crap too?..I guess we should call you "gravy leg" Maybe you should teach the world your levitating skills...Stupid!

finder99 12:37:59 PM Mar 28 2008

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First of all, my heart goes out to his family and friends. Itâ€™s not easy losing a loved one. Now lets talk about stress. Stress is deadly and every game is stressful, every play, practice, workout, being benched for poor play, the combine, the NFL draft, making big money, keeping good grades, collage life and on and on. This young man has seen more stress in his short life than most people see in a life time. High school and collegiate sports is very vicious when is comes to stress. We as a society make it that way. Itâ€™s supposed to be fun years for kids and itâ€™s not