Posted on Sat, Aug. 07, 2010
Stringer?s widow wants to ensure that dealing with heat stays a hot topic
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star
Korey Stringer
Kelci Stringer and her son, Kodie, were on hand when the Vikings retired the jersey of offensive lineman Korey Stringer, who died in 2001 from complications of heat stroke.
She watches from the car on good days, keeping her distance as her only son practices football. Kelci Stringer?s boy is getting older now, growing into a body that, at 12 years old, looks made for the game ? more than 270 pounds already.
On the bad days, when the temperature rises and Kelci can?t silence the worries of the past, she keeps young Kodie home, reminding him that he says he?d like to be an artist when he grows up.
?Sometimes I feel like a walking contradiction,? Kelci says. ?Every day, I feel like I?m the worst mother in the world. That?s my honest opinion. I?m like: What mother would send their child out here to play football? What mother would let their child play football in weather like this? But I have to understand, it?s just the nature of the game.?
Nine years ago, Kelci?s husband, Korey Stringer, was a 27-year-old offensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings. Training camp was hot that year, but football isn?t a game of comfort or forgiveness.
On July 31, 2001, the Vikings practiced in full pads as the heat index touched 110 degrees. Stringer vomited three times during practice. But he didn?t want to appear weak, so he kept playing. Then he collapsed, suffering from exertional heat stroke.
Stringer died the next day, leaving behind a wife, a son and a game that saw a grim reminder that extreme heat was one of football?s most serious ? and overlooked ? threats.
?It got their attention, of course,? Kelci Stringer says now. ?It got the attention of the world.?
I get sad everytime his thread pops back up...[/quote]
