Football not a factor in death of Northwest Missouri State player

A Northwest Missouri State football player who was found dead in his dorm room earlier this year died due to a pre-existing seizure disorder and football did not play a role in his death, according to Nodaway County (Mo.) coroner Vincent Shelby.

Nicholas Turner, a junior defensive tackle on the Division II champ Bearcats, died on Jan. 31. An autopsy — which included an examination of Turner’s brain tissue — revealed a seizure disorder led to Turner's sudden death, Shelby said.

“There was no indication that football was a factor at all,” Shelby told Paste BN Sports.

Northwest Missouri State head athletic trainer Kelly Quinlin told Paste BN Sports in an email that the school was aware of Turner’s condition.

“Turner was cleared to fully participate in football by his neurologist and was monitored by this doctor and our medical staff,” Quinlin said in an email to Paste BN Sports.

Quinlin added that no changes would be made to how it screens current and potential athletes with similar risk factors. Currently, the university — like most other institutions — requires athletes to undergo a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE), an examination where the health histories of both the athlete and family members are assessed.

American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines allow young athletes with seizure disorders to compete in contact sports if the disorder is “well-controlled.”

“We do and will continue to perform PPEs that allow us to be aware of preexisting conditions and obtain all documentation necessary to allow or not allow participation in athletics,” Quinlin said.