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Former Auburn and NFL defensive end Quentin Groves died today at the age of 32 of a heart attack.
The Auburn Family is deeply saddened by the passing of AU great Quentin Groves. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates. pic.twitter.com/fOoMZrx2nC
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 15, 2016
Groves, the all-time leader in sacks at Auburn, was diagnosed with the rare heart condition Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome at the 2008 NFL Combine before being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome causes rapid heartbeats, and consequently Groves had what was described as a minor heart surgery between the Combine and the draft.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a congenital heart defect, something you’re born with. From WebMD:
People with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome have an extra electrical pathway. It causes the abnormal heartbeats. And it could lead to a very serious arrhythmia called supraventricular tachycardia. This is when the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) beat very quickly.
In his NFL career Groves spent time with the Jaguars, Raiders, Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Titans and Bills.
Groves is survived by his wife and two children.
