It was a shocking day in Norman. On what should have been an average, end of school year day, the unexpected struck. Senior to be linebacker at the University of Oklahoma, Austin Box was found unconscious at a house in El Reno. Box was taken to a hospital there before being airlifted to Mercy hospital in Oklahoma City. Box was pronounced dead after his arrival there.

The 911 call involving Box was made available by the El Reno police department Thursday afternoon, you can hear that audio by clicking here as well as on the link below. J.T. Cobble is the man making the call, he indicates early on that Box was taking painkillers and was non responsive. When asked by the 911 operator if Box was still breathing, Cobble said simply "I don't think so."

Box is a former Enid high school star who had just graduated but was coming back for his senior season. Box missed five games in 2010 with a back injury but came back strong starting the final five games and playing very well including an outstanding eight tackle performance against Connecticutt in the Fiesta Bowl win.

Officials are not naming a cause of death and transferred the body to the medical examiners office for further testing.

Sooner head coach Bob Stoops is out of the country on vacation. However, Stoops as well as Okahoma President David Boren and Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione all released statements on the tragic death. This statements are below. 

Box was an outstanding prospect out of Enid high school where he played quarterback, safety, linebacker and even wide receiver. Rivals.com ranked Box the 7th best linebacker and 47th best defensive player in the nation after his senior season with the Plainsmen.

Austin Box was just 22 years old.

OU PRESIDENT DAVID L. BOREN:

"The University family is deeply saddened by the tragic death of student-athlete Austin Box. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

 OU ATHLETICS DIRECTOR JOE CASTIGLIONE:

"This is a devastating day for the OU family.  Austin was incredibly well-liked by his teammates, coaches and fellow students, and will be greatly missed by all of us.  We're providing all the appropriate resources necessary to help everyone in his family, and ours, cope during this extremely difficult time."

 OU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BOB STOOPS:

"We're all shocked and heartbroken.  Austin was a great young man, a great young man to coach and a great teammate.  He played an integral part in our success the last three years and was looking forward to a big senior year.  As heart-wrenching as this is for us, we know it's even more difficult for his family.  More than anything, our thoughts and prayers are with them."