Mitch Petrus, a former offensive guard for the New York Giants, died on Thursday night after suffering from severe heatstroke, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports. The 32-year-old ex-NFL player was taken to Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock on Thursday, and died shortly after arriving. He complained of feeling ill after he was working outside and in his family's shop in Lonoke County.
On Thursday, a heat advisory was in effect for most of Arkansas, with dangerous temperatures. While it was in the low-to-mid 90s Fahrenheit, the heat index reportedly made it feel as though it was actually over 100 degrees fahrenheit. The heat advisory has remained in effect for Friday for the Northern half of Arkansas.
Before entering the league, he played for the Arkansas Razorbacks, earning all-SEC honors. Petrus first got his start in the NFL when he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 Draft by the New York Giants. He eventually went on to play in the Giants' win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46. He retired from the NFL in 2013 and moved back home to central Arkansas.
