Medical examiner: High blood pressure killed obese 13-year-old player who collapsed on field

ME: Obese 13-year-old died of high blood pressure

ST. LOUIS — A medical examiner has ruled that an obese 13-year-old suburban St. Louis football player who collapsed during practice in August died of high blood pressure.

Anthony Troupe Jr. was 6-foot-2 and weighed 383 pounds when he died. St. Louis County medical examiner Dr. Mary Case says she couldn’t directly link the death to Anthony’s size, but obesity is a risk factor. Case says death from high blood pressure is uncommon in someone Anthony’s age.

Anthony collapsed while running a lap before practice. His father died at age 45 in 2007 due to high blood pressure and clogged arteries.

Anthony’s family did not immediately respond to a phone message Wednesday seeking comment.