Greg Bryant hospitalized in critical condition after shooting

ByMatt Fortuna ESPN logo
Saturday, May 7, 2016

UAB running back Greg Bryant is in critical condition after he and one other man were found shot in a car Saturday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Bryant, 21, was trauma transported to St. Mary's Medical Center, a police spokesperson told the Palm Beach Post. Maurice Grover, 25, was the passenger in the car Bryant was driving and wasalso taken to St. Mary's after sustaining minor injuries.

Bryant and Grover were found in the car on the southbound lanes on I-95 around 4:45 a.m., police said, according to the newspaper.

Investigators are seeking witnesses to the shooting, and no suspects have been identified.

A statement from UAB coach Bill Clark later on Saturday acknowledged that Bryant had died, butWest Palm Beach Police Department public information officer Lori Columbino said the lead detective in the investigation confirmed that Bryant's condition remained critical as of 4 p.m. ET.

The school later issued another statement from Clark acknowledging that Bryant was "still fighting for his life" and said the "condolences we expressed earlier today were based on information a family member at the hospital provided and gave us permission to release."

"We remain steadfast as a Blazer family in our prayers and support for Greg and his family at this difficult time."

Bryant joined UAB this spring after spending the past season living in hotel rooms in Miami with friends while attending classes at ASA College and playing in only one game. He previously played at Notre Dame but enrolled at ASA after being ruled academically ineligible in the summer before his 2015 season with the Fighting Irish.

"Greg worked extremely hard this spring on the field and in the classroom," Clark said. "He told me his GPA this semester was the highest he has had in his life, and he was very proud."

Bryant was the biggest name in UAB's first recruiting class since the school restarted its football program. Because the Blazers won't play again until the 2017 season, Bryant was allowed to enroll in January 2016, instead of possibly having to wait an extra year to be eligible elsewhere. He could become eligible to compete after spending an academic year at UAB.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Bryant had joined Notre Dame in 2013 as ESPN's No. 2 running back recruit. The American Heritage-Boca/Delray High (Florida) product took a medical redshirt that season because of knee tendinitis after he played in three games as a freshman.

He played in 15 games for the Fighting Irish, rushed for 303 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries and caught five passes for 50 yards. He also returned eight punts for 94 yards and four kickoffs for 85 yards.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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