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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, August 2, 2001

Vikings sorely miss 'Big K'

 • Isle players in good hands
 •  The effects of heatstroke

By Jarrett Bell
USA Today

The Minnesota Vikings lost more than a Pro Bowl tackle early yesterday, when Korey Stringer died of heart failure caused by a heatstroke.

They lost a loyal and trusted friend.

They lost a thoughtful teammate who believed that giving to his community was part of his duty.

They lost a locker-room comedian, the type who would leave them in stitches with his impersonations of coach Dennis Green.

They lost an upbeat leader and model family man.

They lost "Big K."

"There was not a more well-liked player on our football team," Vikings receiver Cris Carter said during an emotional press conference at the team's training camp in Mankato, Minn. "There was not a player that anyone enjoyed spending more time with than Korey."

Amid a pressurized sport that includes clashing egos, contrasting personalities and mood swings often dictated by the team's fortunes, there was perhaps no player in the Vikings' locker room as approachable as Stringer, who was beginning his seventh NFL season after being selected as Minnesota's first-round draft pick in 1995.

He was a gentle giant, a compassionate and friendly man who had a natural knack for making others feel at ease.

"Korey meant so much just because he always had that smile on his face, whether he was involved in the game of football or in the community," said Green. "He was a guy we could always depend on."

As the Vikings grappled with the tragedy, there was a constant theme as they reflected on memories of Stringer: He was loved.

Stringer, 27, is survived by his wife, Kelci, son Kodie and an extended family.

"I loved him like a son, and I've got two sons," said Green. "He was a man that was always willing to give."

Green remembers how Stringer was the type to help teammates get through hard times, usually with a quick one-liner. Wide receiver Randy Moss won't forget how Stringer inspired him with uplifting words. Carter recalled how Stringer held him in the locker room after the team's emotionally-devastating loss to Atlanta in the 1998 NFC title game.

Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George remembers his Ohio State teammate as someone who was often hilarious in the locker room, but always unerringly serious on the field.

"He did funny things in the locker room, like put his helmet on, put his jockstrap on, and then get in a football stance," said George.

But in the Ohio State huddle, said George, "He was intense. He was a monster. He was relentless, a great athlete, but he had a nasty streak in him. He's from Warren, Ohio. A lot of tough guys come out of Warren, and he's definitely one of them."

Stringer was also dedicated to community service. He was a leader in a program aimed to increase literacy at Bancroft Elementary School in Minneapolis. Green says that Stringer would make weekly visits to the school on his off-days to give attention to the students. On one occasion last year, Stringer visited even after returning from a road game in the wee hours of the morning.

Former teammates and coaches of Stringer's from around the NFL took the news hard.

Jacksonville defensive lineman LeShun Daniels, a former Viking, was one of Stringer's closest friends. Three former Vikings players now with Cleveland, Corey Fuller, Stalin Colinet and Dwayne Rudd, cried together on the field.

Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, who was Minnesota's offensive coordinator when Stringer was drafted, gathered his players towards the end of the morning practice to pay homage to Stringer. Players dropped to one knee for a moment of silence.

"We lost a good man," said Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail, who played with Stringer in Minnesota. "My whole day, it was like, 'What's the purpose of being out here?' There's tremendous pain."

Others will remember Stringer as a man who never hesitated to help others. Just last week, he demonstrated as much to Steven Arnold, who was an assistant coach when Stringer played at Harding High in Warren, Ohio. Arnold mentioned to Stringer the equipment problems that a local youth football team was having.

Said Arnold: "He went to his truck and said, 'Here.' He endorsed his Pro Bowl check."