USC Football: Former USC OG Fred Matua Dies At 28

Early Monday morning, a beloved member of the Trojan family passed away. Per ESPN, sources close to Matua said the cause of death was heart related.

He was 28 years old.

Matua actually had the aneurysm over the weekend, indicted by the support that poured out for him on Twitter:

"PLEAS PRAY FOR MY BROTHER @FRED MATUA"!!! thank you
— Brandon E. Neal (@Brandonneal1985) July 30, 2012

On Monday, tweets asking Matua’s fans to keep him in their thoughts changed to tweets of condolences, grief, and remembrance:

Heartbreaking news about the all too soon death of Fred Matua. The Trojan Family mourns a heavy loss. #FightOn
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) August 5, 2012

Fred Matua passed away?i remember watchin him play alongside Sam Baker,Ryan Khalil && Duece Lutui back then. #RIPFREDMATUA #FightOn
— Onosai (@SOLO_619) August 5, 2012

I can't believe this! Fred Matua passed away from heart failure this AM!Talk about one of the biggest warriors out there!I'll miss you bro!?
— Kristofer J. O'Dowd (@ODOWD61) August 5, 2012

To my beloved brother FRED MATUA the guy who is a big credit to my career he sacrificed himself to lift me I love U
U
SCDYNASYTrojans4Life
— Deuce Lutui (@DeuceLutui) August 5, 2012

So saddened to hear about Fred Matua passing away at age 28. Very tough news this morning. #FightOn
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) August 5, 2012

Matua played offensive guard for the Trojans from 2002-2005. In that time he made the 2003 Collegefootballnews.com Freshman All-American second team, Sporting News Pac-10 All-Freshman first team, and the Collegefootballnews.com Sophomore Al-American First Team. He was also a part of USC’s Rose Bowl victory over Michigan in 2003, their championship victory in 2004, and the championship effort against Texas in 2005. At the end of that season, he declared for the NFL and was drafted in the 7th round in 2006 by the Detroit Lions.

At the time of death, Matua was a free agent.

Details surrounding Matua’s death have yet to be released, and we will bring you more updates as we receive them.