Head Trauma Caused Md. Football Player's Death, Dad Says

FROSTBURG, Md. (AP) -- The father of a Frostburg State University football player who died this week says his son suffered head trauma.

Kenneth Sheely said Wednesday that coaches told him his son, 22-year-old Derek Sheely, collapsed after a series of contact drills Aug. 22. He says his son had told the coaching staff he wasn't feeling well and collapsed as they were walking him off the field.

Sheely says his son had surgery in Cumberland to relieve pressure on his brain. The senior fullback from Germantown died Sunday at a hospital in Baltimore.

Sheely says Derek was an honor student who was majoring in political science and history and had hoped to work for the CIA.

Visitation and a funeral service are planned Thursday afternoon at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg.

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