July 19, 2003 - Julian Yearwood, 31, Bakersfield Blitz FB/LB





Wichita, KS. - At this hour, as the Coroner's Office completes their report on the untimely death of Bakersfield Blitz Fullback/Linebacker Julian Yearwood, arenafootball2 (AF2) is bracing for the possibility that this tragedy may be yet another episode of either over-conditioning or the use of performance-enhancing substances.

The AF2 has become the latest league to be hit by the tragedy that is unfortunately becoming all too familiar in the sports world these days.

Yearwood, 31, collapsed in the team bench area during the Saturday game against the Wichita Stealth at Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, Kansas.

Emergency medical personnel worked on resuscitating Yearwood for over 20 minutes before he was taken off the field on a stretcher.

He was transported by ambulance to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:37 p.m. CT on July 19, 2003. His body was transported to the Sedgwick County Coroner's office to have an autopsy performed to determine the cause of death.

The Sedgwick County Coroners Office has completed the initial autopsy on Yearwood, according to spokesperson Kristi Zukovich of Sedgwick County's Communications Department.

"Additional tests must be conducted before we can release the results," Zukovich stated.

Arena Football League, which has a collective bargaining agreement with its players union, has policies and penalties for use of performance-enhancing substances. The AF2 does not have such policies, but provides education to its players on the dangers of over-conditioning and use of performance-enhancers.

The passing of Yearwood has rocked the AF2 family.

"Everyone in the Arena Football family offers their sincerest condolences to Julian's family and the entire Bakersfield Blitz organization," stated the league in a press release.

The game was tied 7-7 in the first quarter when Yearwood came out of the game allegedly claiming that he wasn't well. He collapsed shortly thereafter.

The league has declined to comment on the cause of death, pending an official autopsy, though some reports in the local media have indicated it may be heart related.

Yearwood's demise is another in the all-too-frequent series of player deaths that have occurred in both professional and college sports in the last few years.

Corey Stringer of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings collapsed after practice in training camp in 2001. Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler collapsed during spring training earlier this year.

Both men officially died of heart failure brought on by heatstroke. They also shared something else in common. Both were alleged to be taking the performance enhancing supplement ephedra.

Whether ephedra, another substance, or over-conditioning contributed to Yearwood's death remains speculation until the coroner's office publishes their report. Yet, the AF2 seems to be bracing itself for the possibility that something like this might be the case.

When queried about the AF2's policy on performance-enhancing substances, AF2 spokesperson Ron Deuter told MLN: "Obviously, performance enhancing supplements are an issue in all sports. We do everything we can to educate our players on the dangers, but obviously nothing will be more impactful then the tragic event this past weekend."

Deuter also believes that Yearwood was fit to play. "As far as we're aware, Yearwood was considered to be in perfect, perfect health before this incident, and it comes as a shock."

Yearwood, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound linebacker/fullback, was second on the Blitz in sacks (6), fifth in tackles (22 1/2), with two forced fumbles, and an interception in 14 games before Saturday.

He also was leading the team in rushing with 85 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

Last season, Yearwood led the arenafootball2, the Arena Football League's minor league, with five fumble recoveries, recorded 4 1/2 sacks and rushed for 145 yards and seven touchdowns on 48 carries.

AF2 Executive Director Jay Marcus officially terminated the game. The game ends in a 7-7 tie.

"In light of the tragic and untimely death of Julian Yearwood, it is in the best interests of everyone effected by this sudden loss to consider this game finished at the point when play was stopped," said Marcus.

Marcus made his decision after consulting with officials from both teams and AFL Commissioner David Baker.

The Blitz and Stealth were tied 7-7 with 1:57 left in the first quarter when officials stopped play. All statistics prior to the stoppage in play will count. Yearwood is survived by his 12-year old son, Julian Jr.