Max Tuerk Dies Of Heart Condition, Coroner Reports

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA —Max Tuerk, a Santa Margarita Catholic High School football player who died while hiking with his family in June, died of an enlarged heart, says the Orange County Coroner's office.

His death certificate reveals that he suffered "severe cardiomegaly with left and right ventricular hypertrophy," according to the Orange County Deputy Supervising coroner, Larry Esslinger. The cardiomegaly is also known as an "enlarged heart" condition.

Tuerk became a starting freshman offensive lineman at USC. According to the OC Register, he was later sidelined by injuries following a stint with San Diego Chargers.
High School coach Harry Welch told the Los Angeles Times he learned of Max Tuerk's death from his father, Greg Tuerk, in a phone call.

The Times reported that "Max collapsed" after a long hike and died in his father's arms. A helicopter arrived at the scene "to help remove him when he could not be revived."

According to a statement from his family, "Max loved his teammates, coaches, and schools. He was a loving son and older brother, and his passing leaves a giant hole in our hearts. His strength and work ethic is an inspiration to many."

Before college and his storied NFL career, Max Tuerk was an offensive lineman who aided in Santa Margarita's CIF State Championship bowl game in 2011. The Times says he was lineman of the year at USC, where he was the first-team All-Pac-12 center as a junior in 2014.

Max Tuerk started the first five games at center in 2015, then tore ligaments in his right knee and underwent season-ending surgery. Despite the injury, he won USC's Most Inspirational Player Award.

Tuerk was a captain of both of his final two seasons with the Trojans.

Tuerk started USC's final five regular-season games at left tackle as a freshman in 2012 and left guard in its 21-7 loss to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

Tuerk started 13 games at left guard and one at right tackle in 2013, receiving All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
"Heartbroken by the loss of Max Tuerk," Trojans coach Clay Helton tweeted in June. "Incredible person, teammate, and Trojan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

The San Diego Chargers drafted the 6-foot-5, 298-pound Tuerk in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, the 66th overall selection. He was inactive for all 16 of the team's games in 2016, the last season in San Diego.
Tuerk was suspended by the league on Aug. 22, 2017, without pay for the first four games of the regular season, for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.

"This offseason, I made the mistake of taking over-the-counter supplements," Tuerk said. "In doing so, I opened myself up to the possibility of consuming a tainted supplement— something that ultimately led to a positive test for a banned substance.

"I accept responsibility for my actions and understand the NFL's policy is very clear on this matter. This is a very hard way to learn a lesson, and I will never make this mistake again."

Upon learning of his passing, San Diego Chargers General Manager, Tom Telesco, spoke on the loss.

"The news is hard to process, and all I can think of is how unbelievably sad I am — and all of us at the Chargers are —upon learning of Max's passing. I'm heartbroken for his parents and family. Max had a tremendous passion for football and a quiet toughness that those who didn't know him may have underestimated, but all of us who knew him appreciated. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Max's family during this extremely difficult time."

Following a summer memorial service at his high school, a GoFundMe was created to establish a perpetual endowment scholarship at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Max's name.

Max Tuer is buried in the Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

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