By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas football program is in mourning after the death of freshman tight end Garrett Uekman.

The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at Washington Regional Medical Center at 12:10 p.m. on Sunday, according to the University of Arkansas, after being found “unconscious and unresponsive” in his room at the Northwest Quad residence hall at approximately 11:15 a.m. The exact cause of death was not known Sunday night, but University of Arkansas Police Department Lt. Matt Mills said there were no suspicious circumstances.

“Garrett Uekman was a special member of our family, and we are all saddened by his passing,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said in a statement. “His loss is a terrible shock, and it makes you realize how precious life is. Garrett was a great teammate and loved being a Razorback. My sympathies are with his entire family during this incredibly trying time, and I share in their grief.

“Our team will honor and show our respect to Garrett.”

Petrino and Arkansas athletic director also will address the media regarding Uekman’s death later tonight.

“Garrett’s loss is a terrible shock for the University of Arkansas and the Razorback program,” Long said in the university statement. “Our sincere condolences go out to his family and to all of those who knew him. He will be missed by many friends, teammates and others throughout campus. The well-being of our student-athletes is at the very core of our mission and when a tragedy like this happens it is a tremendous loss to the entire campus community. We will work with various campus services to provide support for the Uekman family, our student-athletes, coaches and staff during this difficult time.”

Uekman, a Little Rock native, played in nine of Arkansas’ 11 games this season. It included the Razorbacks’ 44-17 win against Mississippi State in his hometown on Saturday afternoon.

He was last seen playing video games by a roommate at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday and “appeared to be in good health,” according to Arkansas. Another roommate found him unconscious an hour later.

Emergency services were called at 11:17 a.m., and first responders were on the scene at 11:20. Uekman was in cardiac arrest when responders arrived and he was pronounced dead at approximately 12:10 p.m. at Washington Regional Medical Center.

Uekman’s body will be transported to Little Rock to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
Uekman’s family released a statement saying their son was “living his dream” of attending Arkansas and playing for the Razorbacks.

“He loved his school, his coaches, and his teammates and classmates, and was an influence and inspiration to so many people,” the Uekman family statement read. “We ask for your love and prayers for Garrett, our family and his friends as we all cope with this heavy and painful loss. Meanwhile, we ask for respect and privacy during this time of grief.”

Arkansas’ players were called into a team meeting and told of Uekman’s death Sunday afternoon.

Soon after, players congregated outside the Broyles Center. Several were visibly distraught, crying and embracing one another after the loss of their teammate and friend. Several others took to Twitter after the meeting and share their emotions.

“RIP Garrett..I am thankful for the opportunity to have you in my life! I will always remember the times we had together. I love you buddy!” senior guard Grant Cook said via Twitter.

“Garrett Uekman rest in peace my brother Watch over us as we continue to chase the dream u started with us. I love u and will forever miss u,” added Arkansas running back Knile Davis.

News of Uekman’s death also spread to his hometown of Little Rock, where he was a football and basketball standout at Little Rock Catholic High.

Uekman was coached at Little Rock Catholic by Ellis “Scooter” Register, who is now at Little Rock Central.

Register said he heard the news from Arkansas running backs coach Tim Horton, who sent a text message Sunday and told him there was an emergency. Upon learning of Uekman’s death, Register said he was stunned and “didn’t get out of my chair for 30 minutes.”

“It just goes to show you how really fragile life is,” Register said. “We can’t take anything for granted. He was so young, vibrant and strong. He had his whole future in front of him.”

Little Rock Catholic coach David Estes, who also was on staff when Uekman played at the school, attended the Mississippi State game on Saturday and said he was “beaming ear to ear with pride” watching the tight end play. Estes said it was hard to cope with the fact Uekman was gone less than 24 hours later.

“It’s devastating to the Catholic High school family, his family, the city of Little Rock and the entire state of Arkansas,” Estes said. “It’s just devastating. I don’t know how else to put it. …

“It’s just a complete tragedy.”