Stringer was born in Warren, Ohio and attended the Ohio State University. The Vikings drafted him in the 1st round of the 1995 NFL draft. He played on the offesive line. The Vikings retired his jersey number "77" during the 2001 season. Stringer's widow filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the team and doctors. Parts of her lawsuit have been thrown out (as of July 2003).
Here is the official press release from the Minnesota Vikings: (At the time of Korey Stringer's death)
"Korey Stringer passed away at Immanuel St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System in Mankato, MN at 1:50 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2001 due to complications from heat stroke. Stringer completed the morning practice session with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, July 31 and walked to an air conditioned shelter following practice. There he developed symptoms of heat stroke including weakness and rapid breathing. The Vikings' athletic trainers were present and immediately attended to him. An ambulance and paramedics were called and the hospital was alerted as the ambulance was en route to Immanuel St. Joseph's. Within five minutes a full team of physicians and emergency room staff met them upon arrival at the hospital.
Stringer was unresponsive at the time of arrival and had an extremely high core temperature of over 108 degrees. Stringer developed multi-organ system failure throughout the day and night requiring the attention of multiple specialists and staff. He never regained consciousness and despite all efforts his heart failed at 1:50 a.m. The hearts and prayers of all the Vikings' family are with the Stringer family."