Autopsy: HS quarterback Evan Murray died following spleen laceration

The death of New Jersey high school quarterback Evan Murray was the result of a lacerated spleen, the Morris County Medical Examiner's office announced Monday.

"The autopsy determined that the cause of death was massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage [massive internal bleeding] due to a laceration of the spleen," the office said in a statement.

"During the examination, [Medical Examiner] Dr. [Ronald] Suarez determined that the spleen was abnormally enlarged thus making it more susceptible to injury," the statement read.

A three-sport athlete, Murray of Warren Hills Regional High School died after he was hurt in a game against Summit High School last Friday. Murray had been the football team's starting quarterback for three years.

People who attended the game said the 17-year-old Murray walked off the field under his own power after taking a hit in the backfield late in the second quarter. A short time later, he apparently collapsed.

Murray felt "woozy" after the tackle but tried reassuring his teammates he would be fine as he was lifted on a gurney and taken to a hospital, witnesses told the New York Daily News.

"He tried giving a thumbs-up to the rest of the team, and all of us cheered," said Kaitlin Bell, 16, a junior varsity cheerleader. "Our coach was telling us he was going to be all right. We didn't expect anything would happen."

Coaches, students and community members gathered at the school's football field Saturday for a memorial.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and theNew York Jetswere among dozens of people and groups from around the country who posted condolences via social media over the weekend.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.