Former Clemson running back C.J. Fuller reportedly had chest pains and a seizure before he died on Wednesday night, according to media reports.
The Clemson Insider was the first media outlet to report that the 22-year-old Fuller passed away following the seizure.
“Fuller’s brother called 911 after the RB collapsed to the ground and told the operator it appeared he was having a seizure,” according to TMZ.com, which added that Fuller attended a physical therapy session hours before his death.
Fuller reportedly sustained a knee injury playing flag football two weeks ago and on Wednesday attended his first therapy session after undergoing surgery late last month.
After returning home, the website said, he collapsed and asked for water. An ambulance was called and Fuller was rushed to a hospital, but died a short time later.
“He had been having some chest pains before that day, but they got worse fast,” Zola Fuller Beeks, Fuller’s aunt, told the Anderson (S.C.) Independent Mail. “He was conscious at one point, but when he got to the hospital, his speech was slurred. Before we knew it, he was gone.
“We think it had something to do with a blood clot, but you just don’t expect someone his age to be gone so fast.”
Fuller started last season as a starter, but finished the season fifth on the team in rushing with only 217 yards and three touchdowns. After the season, he left the team as a graduate transfer, but could not find another school after he and two others were charged in connection to alleged armed robbery in downtown Clemson.
In his Clemson career, Fuller had 599 yards and four touchdowns on 147 carries, in addition to making 18 receptions for 155 yards and two scores.
One of those touchdown catches came in the College Football Playoff semifinal victory over Ohio State in 2016, and the Tigers went on to win the national championship.
