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Blain Padgett, a standout player for the Rice football program, passed away earlier this year at 21-years-old. Padgett was found dead in his apartment after the team sent someone to check on him when he was absent from practice. Up until this time, a cause of death had not been confirmed.
However, on Tuesday, June 19, the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office announced a cause of death which was an accidental overdose.
Padgett reportedly died after taking a powerful opioid.
All of the information regarding the defensive lineman’s tragic passing can be seen below.
Blain Padgett Cause Of Death: Overdose
"The family is devastated." Today we learned a @RiceUniversity football player died from a dangerous opioid. @abc13houston at 4pm, we'll have reaction from Blain Padgett's family, and hear exclusively from former head coach David Bailiff. More here: https://t.co/lLXHGM4mVX pic.twitter.com/rmM87EwxDV
— Nick Natario (@NickABC13) June 19, 2018
Padget reportedly died after overdosing on the synthetic opioid carfentanil, which is an elephant tranquilizer that is 100 times more potent than the deadly drug fentanyl.
From ABC 13:
Dr. Richard Pesikoff, a Baylor College of Medicine employee, said carfentanil is a dangerous opioid that was designed to be an elephant tranquilizer. It’s 10,000 times more potent than morphine, and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
Dr. Pesikoff said carfentanil is deadly because it causes the brain to suppress breathing.
“It’s a dangerous recreational drug,” Dr. Pesikoff said. “Probably the most dangerous. Maybe LSD is equally as dangerous because it comes in micrograms and just the tiny bit that you touch go through the pores in your skin.”
Padgett’s father issued a statement following the confirmed cause of death.
“The family is very devastated by the news and how it came out of the blue. The way we heard about it is very disappointing. We would like to know how Blain got his hands on this drug that seems very difficult to get,” his father said. “That’s our main question. How did he get it and why did he take it? Sadly, nothing we find out will bring Blain back, which is what we really want.”
Our deepest condolences are with Padgett’s family and friends during this difficult time.
