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Marcellis Williamson

UPDATE: Cause of football player's death still unknown

One day after a former Ohio University football player died in a Cleveland-area hospital, the cause of his death remains unknown.

Former starting defensive lineman Marcellis Williamson died Wednesday afternoon in Euclid Hospital. The cause of the 23-year-old’s death is not yet known, but an autopsy is expected to be completed by today, according to the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office.

Williamson himself called 911 Wednesday afternoon, said Brian Perkins, Williamson’s father. Perkins was notified at about 4:30 p.m. that his son was in the hospital, but he said he did not know what happened.

The uncertainty surrounding his son’s death stunned Perkins, who said Williamson appeared to be in good health.

“It was sudden. He hadn’t been sick. He hadn’t had an illness,” Perkins said. “We’re still in shock. It’s so hard to believe because it was so sudden.”

Williamson, a fifth-year senior, graduated OU after Fall Quarter with a degree in recreation management. He participated in a Pro Day workout for the NFL Draft on March 10 and had dreams of playing professional football, Perkins said.

“The NFL was his goal, but his goal for us as a family was to get a degree,” Perkins said.

Pick up Friday's print edition of The Post or check online for the full story

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