Rockies president Keli McGregor died of a rare virus that attacked his heart, his family announced Monday in a statement released by the team.
McGregor, who was in his ninth year as team president and 17th with the organization, was found dead April 20 in a Salt Lake City hotel room while on a business trip with other Rockies executives.
His family revealed that the cause of death was a virus, likely contracted during the last week of his life, that caused lymphocytic myocarditis. McGregor was 48 and, according to the family, had a healthy heart.
“Keli McGregor had the heart of a lion,” the family said in the release. “He did not die of a heart attack or of any other preventable heart condition. . . . Unfortunately, even a heart as healthy as Keli’s can, in rare cases, fall victim to these rare microscopic viral invaders.
“We’re so grateful for the love and support shown to our family and we wanted to share this information with all of those who, like us, have searched for answers.”
McGregor was an All-America tight end at Colorado State before being selected by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL draft. He played briefly with Denver, Indianapolis and Seattle before retiring and launching a career in sports management.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
