It's true...
The game, Trice's death, and aftermath
On October 6, 1923, Trice and his
Iowa State College teammates played against the
University of Minnesota in
Minneapolis,
Minnesota. It was ISU's third game that season; St. Louis
refused to play against a black player. On the night of the game, Trice had to stay at a different Minneapolis hotel from his teammates.
During the second play of the game, Trice's
collarbone was broken. Trice insisted he was all right and returned to the game. In the third quarter, while attempting to tackle a
University of Minnesota ball carrier by throwing a roll block, Trice was trampled by three
Minnesota players. Although he claimed to be fine, Trice was removed from the game and sent to a
Minneapolis hospital. The doctors declared him fit to travel and he returned by train to
Ames with his teammates. On October 8, 1923, Trice died from hemorrhaged lungs and
internal bleeding as a result of the injuries sustained during the game.
Trice's funeral was held at the
Iowa State College's central campus in
Ames on October 16, 1923, with 4,000 students and faculty members in attendance.
As a result of his death, ISU did not renew their contract to play against Minnesota after the 1924 game. They would not play again until 1989.
