UMD football player Reed Ryan has died at the age of 22

Senior defensive lineman Reid Ryan died Tuesday in Duluth, the University of Minnesota Duluth announced.

Ryan was 22 years old.

“He was a guy who lived every day with a smile on his face and wanted to be a good football player, a good student and a good teammate,” UMD football coach Curt Weese said. “His goal was to make sure everyone around him got better, and that’s the kind of person he was. He was a kid who would always stop by your office, stop in the hallway, stop his teammates and actually ask you, ‘How are you doing?’

Wiese said Ryan collapsed on Nov. 21 while working out in the weight room.

He was taken to Essentia Health immediately where he spent the week.

Unfortunately, Wes said Ryan passed away around midnight Tuesday.

“Our staff and players are devastated by Reed’s passing,” Curt Weese said. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, contagious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, department, and community a place Better in a short period of time. Reid will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on forever. He was the epitome of a UMD Bulldog, and what we can all aspire to be. To his family, thank you for allowing us to be a part of his inspiring young life. He was Red is a bulldog in every sense of the word.

Ryan was a Wisconsin native and graduated from Waunakee High School in 2019.

He was honored with the 2018 Tim Kromrie Award, given to the top high school defensive lineman in the state of Wisconsin, as well as being named the 2018 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Large School Defensive Player of the Year.

UMD said Ryan recorded seven tackles and another assist on a total of eight tackles last season.

“Reid had a positive impact on so many and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” University of Maryland Director of Athletics Forrest Carr said. “Reed was a kind, caring, thoughtful young man who enjoyed bringing people together. He grew up in my hometown and was loved by those who knew him in Waunakee, Fargo, Duluth, and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reed’s family and friends during this time of grief. We are grateful to everyone who supports Reid’s teammates and our staff.

Reed Ryan was a benefactor, and made sure to help others even after his death.

“He was a really good teammate. I think that’s the hard part for us,” Weese said. “To understand a tragedy like this for someone as young and healthy as Reid but the impact it would have is just the kind of person and teammate he was. And to be always honest with you, you know, I think that’s something we’ll all remember Reid Ryan.

A memorial service for Ryan will be held Friday night, December 1, from 3:00-7:00 PM at Black Hawk Church at 5935 Astor Drive in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Ryan’s funeral will be held on Saturday, December 2 with a funeral at 10:00 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. at Black Hawk Church.