MANKATO, Minn. -- As he has done so many times, Randy Moss had
his man beat on a fly pattern as he reached out with one hand for a
pass from Daunte Culpepper.
|  | | Offensive line coach Mike Tice, wearing a white cap, leads the offense in prayer prior to Friday morning's practice. |
The ball bounced off Moss's hand as he closed in on the end
zone, prompting the Vikings' star receiver to let out a yelp that
was half-curse, half-laugh.
The spirit seemed to be returning to the Vikings' training camp
on Friday, the team's second day back at practice after the
heatstroke death of tackle Korey Stringer. Players ran through an
abbreviated workout without pads before heading back to the Twin
Cities for a Friday afternoon memorial service.
"I think we definitely practiced better today," coach Dennis
Green said. "It was another step."
As with Thursday's practice, a moment of prayer was held for
Stringer, who collapsed after an intense Tuesday morning practice
and died early Wednesday morning at a Mankato hospital. Fans
gathered on the Minnesota State University campus to watch the
practice greeted the Vikings with warm applause as they took the
field, and a collection of bouquets honoring Stringer had grown
slightly.
The Vikings maintain no one was to blame for the Pro Bowl
tackle's death, and Green said refused again Friday to answer
questions about the circumstances. The first day he might do so is
Tuesday, a day after services for Stringer in his native Ohio.
The state of Minnesota is investigating to determine whether the
team was negligent, a standard practice for deaths that occur in
the workplace.
James Honerman, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of
Labor and Industry, said the agency met with Vikings officials and
they were cooperative. The agency is examining what kind of
training Vikings staff and employees had in dealing with
heat-related illnesses, Honerman said.
An autopsy was done at Immanuel St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System
hospital, where Stringer died, on the day of his death. Hospital
spokesman Kevin Burns said he believed the results would be
kept private.
Dr. David Knowles, a Mankato Clinic physician who led the team
of doctors working on Stringer Tuesday, received permission from
Stringer's wife to order the autopsy, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported
Friday. Knowles told the newspaper he expects to see results in about 10 days.
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue ordered NFL teams to closely
monitor all players to avoid heatstroke. He sent a memo Thursday,
saying executives, coaches and team medical personnel should meet
regularly to discuss practice conditions, particularly in hot
weather.
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Family statement
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James Gould, a close friend of the Stringers', released this statement on behalf of Kelci, Kodie and the Stringer family:
"The family and I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support you have shown us. We are deeply touched, and words can't begin to express how much your compassion and kindness has meant to us.
"We are shocked and saddened by Korey's abrupt death. We hurt like you. Our hearts ache like yours. We know the next days, weeks and months will be difficult, but are confident that with your prayers and support, we can get through this.
"We know that you loved Korey, and although he will be missed, he will never, ever be forgotten. We will always cherish our time with Korey. He lived life to its fullest, touching everyone he came in contact with, and always making us smile.
"We truly believe he was a gift from the heavens.
"Korey and his family have lived full-time in the Twin Cities for the past six years, and look forward to remaining active in our community. The only thing we ask as we embark on our future without Korey is that you understand our need for privacy. We just need time."
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The 335-pound Stringer had trouble with the heat on Monday, and
the heat index in Mankato reached 110 degrees the next day on the
team's first day in full pads. The heat index was 96 at 11 a.m.,
shortly before the Tuesday morning session ended.
On Thursday, offensive line coach Mike Tice said Stringer showed
no warning signs.
"He didn't look like he needed water," Tice said. "He looked
good on film, too. He had a fantastic practice. He was sharp. He
was crisp. He got all his blocks."
Longtime trainer Fred Zamberletti recalled Thursday how the
27-year-old lineman walked off the field on his own and entered an
air conditioned trailer set up as a makeshift training room on the
practice field.
"He went in there, walked around in there," Zamberletti said.
"The kid did everything perfect. The paramedics thanked us and
said they appreciated what we've done here."
Tice said Stringer was upset and embarrassed Tuesday at a
newspaper photo that showed him doubled over during Monday's
practice. Some Vikings reportedly needled Stringer about the
picture.
"He wasn't really thrilled with that picture," Tice said. "He
was out to prove he was a leader and wasn't going to let anyone
embarrass him like that."
Stringer's family, including wife Kelci and 3-year-old son
Kodie, issued a statement Thursday thanking the public for support.
"The only thing that we ask as we embark on our future without
Korey is that you understand our need for privacy," the statement
said. "We just need time."
The Vikings canceled an intrasquad scrimmage Friday night and a
scrimmage against Kansas City on Monday. They planned a closed
workout in the Twin Cities on Saturday.
A public viewing will be held in Warren, Ohio, Stringer's
hometown, on Sunday. A private funeral service and burial will
follow Monday in Warren.
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