Retired NFL offensive lineman Mitch Petrus died due to heat stroke at the age of 32. Petrus was working outside at his family's shop in Arkansas on Thursday (July 18) when he started to feel sick. There was a heat advisory in the area, with temperatures in the 90s and a heat index of over 100 degrees.
He was taken to the Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock, where doctors tried to treat his symptoms. He was pronounced dead later that night.
Petrus was drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He started three games for the Giants in 2011 and played a season-high 55 snaps in their victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46.
He was released by the Giants the following season and was signed by the New England Patriots. They released him less than a month later. The Tennessee Titans signed him and he started two games for them. He was released at the end of the 2012 season and decided to retire.
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