American football: 49er Herrion died from heart disease

San Francisco 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion died from heart disease when he collapsed after a pre-season game in Denver on August 20, the Denver County coroner said yesterday.

Herrion had ischemic heart disease, with significant blockage in his right coronary artery that caused the death of heart muscle.

His heart was slightly enlarged.

A 1.91m, 140kg guard, Herrion, 23, was on the field for San Francisco's 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a touchdown with two seconds left.

Drug screens on Herrion's blood and urine found only atrophine, a drug administered when medical personnel tried to revive him.

Players had finished listening to coach Mike Nolan in a post-game meeting when Herrion collapsed.

About three hours later, 49ers spokesman Aaron Salkin confirmed that Herrion had been pronounced dead.