Geneva football player dies unexpectedly

A little more than three months ago, John McNeil’s classmates were celebrating his team’s second-place finish in the state football playoffs. Now, those same students are mourning McNeil, 18, who died unexpectedly Thursday.

The Geneva senior, who played offensive line for the football team, died Thursday morning at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva.

The Kane County coroner’s office conducted an autopsy, and reported that McNeil died from ‘‘natural causes.’’ Toxicology samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, which is standard procedure for unexplained deaths.

A statement from the high school said that McNeil’s death does not appear to be the result of an infectious or contagious disease.

Counselors will be available during school on Friday to students who request it. There will be a regular school schedule on Friday.

Students were notified of McNeil’s death Thursday afternoon by an announcement at school.

‘‘He was a terrific offensive lineman,’’ said school Principal Tom Rogers. ‘‘He was also a great student. He was very well liked by everyone who came in contact with him, including me. He was a great young man.’’

McNeil was a 6-foot-5, 260-pound offensive lineman on Geneva’s football team, which finished second in the state last year. He was on the All-Western Sun Conference team as a senior and a member of National Honor Society.

“He was quiet individual,” Geneva football coach Rob Wicinski said. “He worked very, very hard. He rarely missed a day in the weight room. He was a very good boy.’’

McNeil’s death comes one day after many of his high school teammates were plotting out their futures and signing with college football teams. McNeil had not made up his mind where, but he would have played college football at some level, Wicinski said.

This is the second time in recent years that the Geneva football team has dealt with the death of one of its players. In May 2006, freshman lineman Dustin Villarreal died of an undetected heart condition. The team dedicated this past season to Villarreal, visiting his grave often and wearing his number on their helmets. Villarreal and McNeil were in the same class.

Wicinski had spoken to the team Thursday afternoon. He said although experience with grief did not make McNeil’s death any easier for them, it meant they could count on their teammates.

‘‘They knew to lean on each other,’’ Wicinski said.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Sun-Times News Group