Furman football player Bryce Stanfield died Friday after experiencing a medical emergency during a workout Wednesday at Paladin Stadium, the team announced. He was 21 years old.

“We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce’s sudden passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead,” Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in a statement. “There are so many more who are really hurting — namely Bryce’s teammates, coaches and staff, classmates, friends and the entire Furman community and beyond.”

Furman president Elizabeth Davis said in an email Wednesday that Stanfield was in critical condition and on life support at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina.

A native of Acworth, Ga., Stanfield was a junior defensive tackle for the Paladins. He played in eight games as a true freshman in 2021, compiling 19 tackles and three sacks and earning SoCon All-Freshman Team honors. In 2022, he appeared in 13 games as a sophomore, totaling 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a defensive end and defensive tackle as Furman went 10-3 and made the FCS playoffs.

Stanfield also played in all 13 games this past fall, notching 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks, as the Paladins went 10-3 and won the Southern Conference championship.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player and friend,” Hendrix said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community.

“In every sense, he was the best representative we could have. His passing is one of the most difficult things Furman football has ever encountered, but our faith and so many wonderful memories Bryce provided us will help sustain us all in the days ahead.”

Davis conferred Stanfield’s Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences, magna cum laude, in ceremonies Friday with Stanfield’s family, teammates and coaches in attendance.

“Our Furman Family is heartbroken by Bryce’s passing, and we share our deepest condolences with family, friends and teammates,” Jason Donnelly, Furman’s vice president of athletics, said in a statement. “Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from our entire community. Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever.”

The program said memorial service arrangements would be announced at a later time.

(Photo: Charles Mitchell / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)