A freshman football player for the University of Cincinnati passed away from a heart condition, the coroner’s report said.
Jeremiah Kelly, an 18-year-old offensive lineman, was found unresponsive at his off-campus residence in April.
Kelly’s cause of death was listed as “cardiac hypertrophy.”
According to Mayo Clinic, cardiac hypertrophy is a disease in which the heart muscle thickens.
Jeremiah Kelly, the Cincinnati freshman football player who was found unresponsive at his off-campus residence in April, died from a heart condition, according to the coroner's report. https://t.co/mNkhnflBDl
— ESPN (@espn) July 22, 2025
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A spokesperson for the University of Cincinnati told ESPN in a statement that Kelly had passed a pre-participation physical examination required by the NCAA. An early enrollee at the school, he had gone through spring practice with the Bearcats.
ADVERTISEMENT“The Cincinnati football program and athletics department continue to mourn Jeremiah’s passing,” the statement reads. “He is deeply missed by all of us.”
His mother, Chiniqua Kelly, told ESPN Tuesday that Kelly was her “healthiest” child and “never had any issues” before his sudden death at age 18.
She said that the autopsy results have given her “some closure” but left her with questions about whether his death could have been prevented. She said Kelly had been relaxing at home the day before his death and had worn a heart monitor when doing physical activity.
“It just makes you want to be more aware, like if there’s something that you can possibly save your child from,” she said.
She said that she wants her two other sons to see a sports cardiologist.
Kelly, from Ohio, helped lead his high school football team to a state championship last year.
Report: Autopsy found Avon native and University of Cincinnati offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly had heart condition https://t.co/38C06ZiTY2
— WKYC 3News (@wkyc) July 22, 2025
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Kelly died just six days after his 18th birthday.
“The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man,” coach Scott Satterfield said in April. “In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room. My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah.”
A freshman from Avon, Ohio, Kelly was a 6-foot-3, 320-pound offensive lineman who helped Avon High School to a 16-0 record and a state championship in 2024.
ADVERTISEMENTAhead of last year’s state championship, 3News’ Lindsay Buckingham spoke with Kelly on what Avon’s football team meant to him.
“When times got tough throughout the season, we didn’t ever turn our back on each other,” Kelly said. “Our brotherhood really showed and (stayed through) those tough moments.
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