Ledyard Player Who Collapsed During Game Dies

Matthew Buriak collapsed after being tackled

By YVONNE NAVA

Updated 7:01 AM EST, Wed, Nov 25, 2009

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A 16-year-old Ledyard High School student was taken off life support three days after he collapsed while playing in a junior varsity football game.

Matthew Buriak was taken off life support Tuesday and died at 2 p.m., a spokesman for Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford said.

The cause of death was not released.

Ledyard School Supt. Michael Graner said doctors determined that Buriak's death was not related to a sports injury. Neighbors said he suffered an aneurysm.

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Buriak collapsed on Saturday as Ledyard's junior varsity football team played at Fitch High School in Groton.

He'll be honored Thursday during Ledyard and Fitch's annual Thanksgiving Day game.

More than 1.400 people are also honoring him on the “Pray for Matt Buriak” Facebook page.

A wake is scheduled for Friday and Buriak's funeral will be on Saturday.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Connecticut

First Published: Nov 23, 2009 8:35 AM EST

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