A beloved Minnesota Gophers football coach has been hospitalized and it’s affecting both of Minnesota’s most popular football teams.
According to a statement from the University of Minnesota, Gophers linebackers coach Mike Sherels was admitted to a local hospital Tuesday for what is being called “unexpected surgery.”
The statement also noted that the 31-year-old Rochester native also had a medical procedure last week, before football camp began.
The nature of Sherels’ procedure has not been released. His brother, Vikings cornerback and punt returner Marcus Sherels, did not travel with the Vikings to Cincinnati for Friday’s preseason game against the Bengals.
We now know why Marcus Sherels is not in Cincinnati brother Mike in hospital wishing Mike the best
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 10, 2016
Mike Sherels was an outstanding player for the Gophers from 2003-07. He started 30 games and totaled 219 tackles during his career at Minnesota.
The Pioneer Press notes that he is the only walk-on in program history to be named a two-time captain of the team.
Since his playing days he’s been an coach and key recruiter for the program, focusing on the state of Minnesota.
“Mike is Minnesota football,” said Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys in a statement. “There are few things that are more important to him than this university and this football program. We ask that you respect his privacy and that of his family during this time.”
