Autopsy Reveals 3 Factors Contributed To Death Of TU's George Clinkscale

The medical examiner's office released its autopsy report in the case of former TU player George Clinkscale who died at an unsanctioned boxing event in September.

Monday, January 9th 2012, 2:54 pm

By: News On 6

Autopsy Reveals 3 Factors Contributed To Death Of TU's George Clinkscale

A newly released full autopsy report sheds light into three areas that contributed to the death of former TU football George Clinkscale.

The report lists the cause of death as sudden exertional death due to complications of sickle cell trait, as well as a fracture to the fifth cervical vertebrae and evidence of hypertensive cardiomyopathy in his heart.

Read the full autopsy report.

Clinkscale died on September 22 at the age of 24 after taking part in an unsanctioned boxing event at Guts Church in Tulsa.

Initial reports cited the sickle cell trait as the main cause of death, but it wasn't until the full report was released that the fractures to the vertebrate and heart damage were revealed.

Sickle Cell disease or anemia, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. The report states there was a history with sickled cells inside various organs.

Furthermore, the report states that the fifth vertebra in Clinkscale's neck was fractured, but the spinal cord appeared intact.

Finally, the report states that Clinkscale's cardiovascular system had evidence consistent with hypertensive cardiomyopathy which the Mayo Clinic defines this as a weakened heart caused by the effects of high blood pressure.

Clinkscale was a three-year letter winner and two year starter for the Golden Hurricane football team. He played in 53 career games and started 33 contests, while collecting 127 tackles, 18 stops for -92 yards and four fumble recoveries in his career.

His senior year he started all 12 games and was credited with 34 tackles. He earned his degree in exercise sports science.

At the time of his death, Clinkscale was a coach at Tulsa Central High School.

Since his death, Clinkscale's family has filed a lawsuit against GUTS church.

He left behind a wife and two-year-old daughter as well as a daughter who was born in October.