Fmr GVSU player dies after River Bank

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Former Grand Valley State University football player Jason Kinzler, 37, died Saturday after he collapsed about a mile from the end of the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K race..

Kinzler collapsed around 11 a.m. near the area of Lake Michigan Drive and Seward.

First responders used a defibrillator and performed CPR on Kinzler at the scene before he was taken to Butterworth Hospital, where he later died.

The race's medical director said he and his crews had seen runners showing signs of dehydration all morning. However, there are no confirmed reports of what exactly killed Kinzler.

"Unfortunately, we all experienced a great loss to one of our courageous runners," Fifth Third River Bank Run director Kristin Aidif said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this extremely difficult time."

Kinzler was a 2008 inductee to the GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame. He played linebacker for the football team from 1993 to 1996.

His grandmother-in-law said she saw no signs of heart problems.

"He was a picture of health and there wasn't anything he couldn't do," Irene Chernick said. "He seemed so energetic and full of life."

An account has been set up to benefit Kinzler's family at Mercantile Bank. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at any Mercantile Bank-- where Kinzler worked.

Chernick told 24 Hour News 8 his oldest son was scheduled to take his first communion the night of his death.

Kinzler leaves behind a wife and three young children.

"It's a very sad situation," Chernick said. "It's hard to believe someone that's so vital, so strong, has been taken from our midst."