Mitch Petrus, an offensive lineman who starred at Arkansas and was a member of the New York Giants' Super Bowl 46 championship team, died Thursday at age 32.
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the cause of death was heat stroke. Petrus reportedly had been working outside all day in extreme heat in Arkansas. After feeling ill he went to Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock, where he died at 10:45 p.m.
Petrus walked on at Arkansas as a fullback but was shifted to guard for the 2007 season and earned All-SEC second-team honors that year. He made the All-SEC first team two years later.
Drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Petrus played three seasons in New York, appearing in all four of the Giants postseason games in 2011, including the Super Bowl win over the Patriots.
After the Giants released him in November 2012, Petrus caught on for brief stints with the Patriots and Titans that same season.
Petrus' death brought a flurry of remembrances on social media.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mitch Petrus," Arkansas Football tweeted. "He was an outstanding competitor, incredible teammate and a true Hog. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest easy Mitch."
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mitch Petrus. He was an outstanding competitor, incredible teammate and a true Hog. He will be greatly missed by many. Rest easy Mitch. pic.twitter.com/pMToZaWmc3
— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) July 19, 2019
We are grieving the loss of Mitch Petrus, a close friend of our family, especially my son Alex. He was all SEC guard for @RazorbackFB and played on @Giants 2011 Super Bowl champion team. 💔🙏🏻 https://t.co/6FSjQzJXDh
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) July 19, 2019
HEARTBREAKING.
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) July 19, 2019
Mitch Petrus was an absolute joy to work with. His energy and enthusiam were contagious.
He loved Arkansas -- and Arkansas loved him. #WPS pic.twitter.com/P3M4ikLprk
As we continue covering the death of Former Hog #MitchPetrus I had a chance to chat with @CBSCoachNutt.
— Aaron Nolan (@AaronNolanNews) July 19, 2019
He told me Mitch had an attitude like 'a little boy waking up for Christmas', he would tackle anything thrown at him.#RIPMitch #wps @PigTrailNation pic.twitter.com/QLHKWLoABq