A former NFL player on vacation in Miami over the holidays died Thursday, days after collapsing during a workout and falling into a coma.
39-year-old Keion Carpenter was pronounced dead shortly after 6:45 AM at Jackson South Community Hospital, according to TMZ Sports. The Baltimore native played his college career at Virginia Tech before spending seven seasons in the NFL from 1999 until 2005 with the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons.
He later founded The Carpenter House, which specialized in providing under privileged families with homes. He leaves behind four children.
Carpener's former teammates and coaches took to Twitter to pay tribute to the former football star.
Today our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of former Falcons player Keion Carpenter. pic.twitter.com/mixTPwGoLx — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 29, 2016
I am saddened by the news about Keion. He was an outstanding player, a great teammate and an even better person. pic.twitter.com/mP5FRugf0l — Bud Foster (@coachfostervt) December 29, 2016