Mourners Gather for Final Public Viewing for Korey Stringer

W A R R E N, Ohio, August 6 -- From high school teammates to NFL stars,hundreds of mourners gathered today to pay finalrespects to Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer, who died lastweek of heatstroke.

An hour before Stringer's funeral was to begin, the carillonplayed hymns at the First Assembly of God in the hometown of theformer Ohio State player.

"It's a big loss. It's a tremendous loss," Vikings widereceiver Cris Carter said before entering the church. "It'sdevastating for the team.

"He was probably the most popular player on the team and one ofthe most popular I ever played with. It's just unexplainable."

Stringer, 27, was hospitalized after practicing last Tuesday anddied in the hospital overnight. His body temperature had risen tomore than 108 degrees.

'A Real Joy to Be Around'

About 100 mourners gathered in bright sunshine near the frontdoor of the church today. Hundreds of cars were parked in the lotat the strip mall across the street. Seven limousines pulled intothe circular drive in front of the two-story brick and stuccochurch.

Workers at a lube and oil change business across the streetstopped work to watch the scene.

"Korey was just a ball of fire. Everybody loved him. He was ajoy to be around — a real joy to be around," Brandon Taylor, afriend of the family, told reporters outside the church, which wasclosed to the media.

Pallbearers included former teammates at Warren G. Harding HighSchool and Ohio State. Honorary pallbearers were Vikings widereceiver Randy Moss and former running back Robert Smith.

Those attending included two-time Heisman Trophy winner ArchieGriffin and Joey Galloway, a wide receiver for Dallas and a formerOhio State teammate.

Struggling With Weight Problems

About 4,000 people attended another public viewing Sunday at thehigh school, and an overflow crowd was expected for his funeral.

Arrangements were made to let people who could not fit into thechurch to watch the service on closed-circuit television.