The Portland State University football team is working their way through some recent hard times. The team has lost two players in the time span of four months.
Portland State offensive, lineman Kyle Smith was less than a hundred days from graduation when Portland Police and medical personnel responded to a call around 9:45 p.m. last Wednesday evening. When the police and medical personnel arrived at Smith's apartment, the 22-year-old was found dead. Police found evidence that his death may have been a possible drug overdose.The Portland Police Bureau's Drugs and Vice Division are currently assisting the investigation. Toxicology results are to be expected in the next several weeks. Until then, the investigation is ongoing.
Smith graduated from Elmira High School in 2012, after earning all-state honors as both offensive and defensive lineman, also winning two state wrestling championships. Smith was a three-year starter at left tackle for Portland State, earning second-team all-Big Sky conference honors last year as a junior. As a freshman in 2013, Smith started 12 games and earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a sophomore. Smith had hopes of playing professional football after graduation.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kyle Smith," Director of Athletics, Mark Rountree said in his statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. I would ask the Viking family to support our student-athletes and coaches with love and care during this difficult time. We must all must show resolve to cope with this tragedy as best we can."
Unfortunately, Smith's passing follows another Portland State football player, A.J. Schlatter.
Schlatter, age 20, was a linebacker for the Vikings. Schlatter was finishing his freshman year at the university, when he passed away this January. Schlatter died unexpectedly, when a blood clot had developed after he had undergone a minor throat surgery to remove his tonsils.
In 2015, Schlatter had started 10 games, and was ranked fourth on the team with a total of 62 tackles. As a senior at Canby High School, Schlatter was a second-team all-state linebacker, and led the Canby Cougars to the 6A semifinals in 2013. Schlatter joined the Vikings football team as a walk-on, but soon earned a full-time scholarship. He was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on November 21, 2015, after a 34-31 win over Eastern Washington University.
The Portland State football team is going to finish the season. It is important to remember they are painfully inflicted inside. Smith and Schlatter were not just teammates to the Vikings football team, they were brothers.
No word on a celebration of life, or a service for Smith has been released yet. In the meantime, the Viking family is asked to keep their families in thoughts and prayers. They are also asked that they be there to support the student athletes and their coaches as they work through the rest of their season.
