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Former Super Bowl winner Mitch Petrus dies of heat stroke

Mitch Petrus helped the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. (Photo by Rob Tringali)
Mitch Petrus helped the New York Giants to Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. (Photo by Rob Tringali)

Former NFL star Mitch Petrus has died of suspected heat stroke aged just 32.

The offensive lineman who played for the New York Giants, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans fell ill after working outside all day at his family's business in Little Rock, Arkansas.

After being after being taken to Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock, Petrus died later that evening according to county coroner Gerone Hobbs.

Petrus attended Arkansas University and was named in the All-SEC first team in 2009.

He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft and went to feature in their Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots.

Petrus later joined the Patriots briefly in 2012 before moving to the Titans for the remainder of that season.

Petrus retired from the NFL in 2013 and returned to Arkansas.

Temperatures in the state reached the low-to-mid 90s Fahrenheit and the heat index made it feel hotter than 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

A heat advisory is in effect as temperatures continue to rise.