TRAVELERS REST, S.C. (WSPA) – A Furman University football player is fighting for his life after experiencing a medical emergency Wednesday morning.
According to Furman University, Bryce Stanfield experienced a medical emergency during a morning workout in Paladin Stadium. He was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
In an email sent out to the Furman community on Wednesday, university president Elizabeth Davis said Stanfield is currently on life support with his parents by his side.
I am reaching out to you with difficult news. Early this morning, Furman student Bryce Stanfield had a medical emergency during football practice. He is currently at Greenville Memorial Hospital in critical condition and on life support. Bryce’s parents are with him and have requested our prayers.
Bryce is a junior health sciences major from Acworth, Georgia, and a member of the Furman football team.
We encourage you to seek out places to talk and to offer care for one another. For anyone in need of support, staff are available at these numbers:
- Trone Center for Mental Fitness (counseling services) and after-hours crisis line: 864-294-3031, press #3 (confidential, available 24/7)
- Office of Spiritual Life: 864-294-2133 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.)
- Office of Student Life: 864-294-2202 (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
- After-hours: 864-294-2111.
While the impulse to gather at the hospital is understandable, because of limited space and the fact that only his family will be able to be with Bryce, we ask that you not visit at this time. The chapel sanctuary will be open until 11:30 p.m. for a quiet place for prayer as will the chapel student lounge on the lower level.
Please keep Bryce and his family in your thoughts. We will share more information as it becomes available.
Elizabeth Davis, Furman University President
Robert Pickel, a junior at Furman, said the news came as a shock to him and the rest of the campus.
“They were very surprised by the incident,” said Pickel. “I think I had seen him the day before and he had looked perfectly fine. He was eating food with his friends.”
Stanfield, a junior defensive tackle, is a health sciences major from Acworth, Georgia.
“The thoughts and prayers of Furman’s entire football program and university community are with Bryce and his family at this time,” said head football coach Clay Hendrix.