Minnesota LB Gary Tinsley dies at 22

Apr 6, 2012 - 8:45 PM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota linebacker Gary Tinsley died Friday morning after being found unresponsive in his dorm room, the Star Tribune reported.

Tinsley was 22.

"It's a very, very sad day for our football program," said Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill. "All our hearts - from our program to our administration and certainly our players - go out to Gary's family. They're a long way away and headed this direction and I couldn't imagine. Our prayers are out to them."

The cause of death is not yet known, but there was no indication of foul play.

The news of Tinsley's passing was especially shocking for Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray.

"It's just weird how things work. Last night, we were just texting each other and today he's gone," Gray said.

A Jacksonville, Florida, native, Tinsley started all 12 games for Minnesota during his senior season in 2011 and finished second on the team with 87 tackles.