Minnesota Gophers Linebacker Gary Tinsley Found Dead at Age 22

Tragedy struck the University of Minnesota late on Friday morning as 22-year-old linebacker Gary Tinsley was found dead at his apartment.

Gophers team spokesman Andy Seeley told the Associated Press that Tinsley was found unresponsive in his apartment at Roy Wilkins Hall on the Minneapolis campus and was pronounced dead at the scene.

University spokesman Chuck Tombarge told the AP that emergency responders were unable to resuscitate Tinsley upon arrival. A cause of death has not yet been released.

Update: Friday, April 6 at 11:07 p.m. EST

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill and quarterback MarQueis Gray issued statements on the death of linebacker Gary Tinsley on Friday morning. The team has canceled Saturday's scheduled practice.

Kill said in the news conference, via the Star Tribune:

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“It’s a very, very sad day. We lost one of our own today in Gary Tinsley, who I know is in a good place. Gary was a young man who had done everything I asked him to do since I walked in the door. ... It’s devastating to a family that loves a child."

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Gray added:

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“We’re still a family. When you sign on the dotted line, you enter a whole new brotherhood. It’s weird. Last night we were texting each other, today he’s gone. But that’s the way God works. He was a great brother, a great teammate, a great friend. I know he was a great son to his parents, I can only imagine what his parents are going through now. ... it’s a sad day for Gopher Nation as well as the Gopher football team.”

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Minnesota's athletic department scheduled a press conference to be held on Friday afternoon with head coach Jerry Kill, starting quarterback MarQueis Gray and university Police Chief Greg Hestness.

Tinsley played in 44 games in his career with the Gophers and completed his eligibility at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Jacksonville, Fla., native, who was a three-year starter, finished second on the team in total tackles with 87 in 2011 and registered 198 in his career.

In his final game with the Gophers on November 26, he had six tackles (five solo) and a sack. 

Though the Gophers went 3-9 in 2011, Tinsley's passing puts things in perspective—sometimes, winning just doesn't matter. This is the kind of loss that does.