Cincinnati Freshman Jeremiah Kelly Dies From Heart Condition

Jeremiah Kelly, a freshman offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bearcats football team, died unexpectedly in April due to cardiac hypertrophy, a condition characterized by thickened heart muscles, according to an autopsy report. Kelly, an early enrollee from Avon, Ohio, had participated in spring practices and passed the NCAA-mandated physical examination before joining the team. Despite wearing a heart monitor during workouts and being considered the healthiest of his children by his mother, Kelly's sudden death has deeply affected the Cincinnati football program and community. He was a highly regarded high school athlete who helped lead Avon High School to a perfect 16-0 record and a state championship in 2024. The university and coach Scott Satterfield expressed their condolences, highlighting the impact Kelly made in his brief time with the team. Kelly's mother hopes increased awareness and cardiac evaluations can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.