Daniel Garza dies, 49ers team doctor and Stanford researcher

Dr. Daniel Garza, a leading researcher in concussion and brain-related injuries at Stanford University and the medical director and team physician of the 49ers, has died.

The university said in a news release Wednesday night that Garza died at his Bay Area home on Tuesday night. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Garza, 43, lived in Redwood City, the San Mateo County coroner's office said.

"The 49ers organization has been informed of a tragedy," the team said in a statement. "We were saddened to learn Dr. Dan Garza died unexpectedly Tuesday. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this trying time."

Garza was an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine. His primary research focused on the prevention of traumatic brain injury in athletes.

Garza conducted extensive studies on the risk of concussions by fitting athletes, including Stanford football players, with mouthpieces that measure the impact and frequency of collisions.

"Dan Garza was very dedicated to sports medicine, to teaching human physiology and to his research to improve recovery and treatment outcomes for athletes," said Dr. William Maloney, a professor and chair of Stanford's department of orthopedic surgery. "He was persistent in his desire to find solutions to one of the most concerning areas in our field, the prevention of concussions and head trauma. We are saddened by his loss and the loss to our profession."

Franklin was one of eight finalists for the award, a list that included Serena Williams, the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world. Others nominated were golfer Inbee Park, pole vaulter Jenn Suhr, figure skater Mao Asada, snowboarder Kelly Clark, skier Tina Maze and Paralympic track star Tatyana McFadden.

Franklin followed up her performance at the 2012 Olympics, when she won four gold medals and a bronze medal, with a record-breaking six gold medals at 2013 FINA World Championships.

AFL

Read the original:
Daniel Garza dies, 49ers team doctor and Stanford researcher