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UConn linebacker hospitalized after suffering stroke

STORRS — UConn linebacker Eli Thomas has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. The school issued a statement Monday saying the 220-pound junior had the st...
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STORRS — UConn linebacker Eli Thomas has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

The school issued a statement Monday saying the 220-pound junior had the stroke Wednesday prior to a weightlifting session.

The school says Thomas was immediately transported to a hospital where he is in stable condition and making “good progress toward recovery.”

The school declined to provide any other details.

Thomas’ mother, Mary Beth Turner, issued a statement thanking the team’s athletic trainers for their quick response and saying her son will “fight back.”

Thomas has played at linebacker and defensive end this season, making 11 tackles and recording a key sack that helped the Huskies (1-5) secure their only win of the season over Rhode Island on Sept. 15.

UConn visits No. 21 South Florida (6-0) on Saturday.

The family of Eli Thomas released the foowling statement

“Thank you all for your love and well wishes for Eli,” Mary Beth Turner, mother of Eli Thomas, said.  “To say we are stunned by this turn of events is an understatement!  A strong, healthy, 22-year old man having a stroke is not anything we anticipated.  However, Eli will fight back as he has with every challenge that has come his way with “Eli Style.”

“We want to thank every single member of the UConn football staff!  They have been tremendous! The love from them, and the team, has been overwhelming!  A very special thank you to (assistant athletic trainers) Caitlyn VanWie and Tony Salvatore.  Without their quick response, this horrible situation could have been devastating. We owe them more than we can ever repay!

Continued prayers for Eli’s recovery are appreciated.”

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