Former IU defensive tackle Emile Bass was found dead in his Bloomington apartment Tuesday at the age of 26, after suffering an apparent epileptic seizure.
A member of the Hoosiers' program from 2005-07, Bass was on 2007 Insight Bowl team. During his career at IU, he played in 16 games, and made eight tackles including one sack.
He recently returned to Indiana from Detroit after being inspired while watching HBO's Hard Knocks, as former teammate Marcus Thigpen fought and made the Miami Dolphins roster.
With the help of former IU wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore, who is now a private athletic trainer in Bloomington, Bass hoped to get in shape and try out for the Canadian Football League. In his time back, he had lost 10-12 pounds in about the span of a month.
Bass is survived by his three sons, as well as his mother. Funeral arrangements had not been finalized as of Wednesday, however he will to be laid to rest in his home town of Detroit.
Information from the Herald Times was used in this report.
