Geneva mourns sudden death of football player
A shocked Geneva High School community is mourning the death of senior John McNeil, a National Honor Society member and standout football player.
McNeil, 18, died Thursday at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva, one day after being brought there for an undisclosed illness.
An autopsy by the Kane County coroner's office Thursday afternoon determined "natural causes" as a preliminary cause of death. Tissue and blood samples have been sent to an outside laboratory for toxicology testing.
Kane County Coroner Charles West said McNeil had some pre-existing medical conditions for which he was receiving treatment. He declined to elaborate. "The death may be associated with those," West said. "There's no signs of anything (else) abnormal."
Among the post-autopsy tests to be performed is a microscopic search for potentially abnormal tissue, West said. The teen's medical history also will be studied, and he will be tested for chemical substances. West said results woudn't be available for about three weeks.
McNeil had not been feeling well and was absent from school for several days, Geneva Unit District 304 Superintendent Kent Mutchler said. He said medical officials told the district they don't believe McNeil had anything infectious or contagious.
McNeil played left tackle on the offensive line for Geneva's varsity football team, which played in the state Class 7A championship game Nov. 29 in Champaign. He was contemplating signing a letter of intent to play football at Butler University or several Division III schools.
Senior defensive lineman Andrew Clausen has played football with McNeil since seventh grade.
"I didn't even know (about the death) until I was done with lunch. One of our coaches came over and sat down and talked, then our principal made an announcement. I just started bawling," Clausen said.
McNeil, 6 feet 5 inches tall and 260 pounds, was a Daily Herald All-Area player. He was a two-year starter on the offensive line, paving the way for tailback Michael Ratay to run for 44 touchdowns this year, one short of the Illinois High School Association record. The team finished the season 13-1 and played in its first state title game since 1975.
"I've been bugging him (Ratay) to have us over for dinner for a long time. Once you start having a couple 300-yard games, you have to give us some credit," McNeil said in a Nov. 13 Daily Herald article. A grateful Ratay had invited the offensive line over to his house for steak.
"They (the football team) are doing fine, as well as can be expected," coach Rob Wicinski said. "They have learned to lean on each other."
McNeil was a member of the National Honor Society. He also sang with the school's concert choir for three years.
Counseling is available to students and families by calling (630) 463-3831 or (630) 463-3834. Support will also be offered during the school day Friday and beyond to those students who request it.
The flags on Geneva city buildings will be flown at half-staff in memory of McNeil, said Mayor Kevin Burns. "John was a star on and off the field. The color (Viking) blue will be a little less bright."
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. There is an open group on Facebook called "RIP John McNeil," where people are posting remembrances: facebook.com/profile.php?id=603049225#/group.php?gid=52580630307.
"He was an excellent young man, an excellent student," Mutchler said. "He had many friends."
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