Stringer's Family and Friends Remember Star Player

Aug. 3 -- The purple jersey with an enormous "77" emblazoned across the front was passed between tearful mourners as Korey Stringer's family and friends remembered the Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle.

From the podium, Stringer's teammate Ross Moss urged the mourners to "touch it, kiss it, wipe your tears on it."

Stringer died Wednesday from heat stroke, a victim of the relentless heat wave that enveloped the Midwest this week as well of his determination to be the best. His death provoked soul-searching among National Football League officials, who were asked whether they pushed players too hard.

Taking ‘Baby Steps’

Outside the Washburn-McReavy Chapel in Edina, Minn., a huge crowd of sobbing fans gathered to pay respects to the 27-year-old Pro Bowl player who neighbors remembered as man whose heart was as large as his frame.

At 335 pounds, the 6-foot-4 Stringer spent most of his professional playing years battling his weight problem, but in the end his girth — and the unremitting heat — got the better of him.

For his teammates still struggling to come to terms with his death, Stringer's presence loomed large during the service. "We have taken baby steps going on without you because we know you would want us to," Moss said.

The temperature Tuesday morning hit the low 90s, with humidity that made it feel like more than 100, and the Vikings worked out in full gear and pads, which experts say could have contributed to Stringer's death from heat stroke.

Tiki Barber, a halfback for the New York Giants, said pride and the determination to be a leader were also possible factors.

Stringer couldn't complete practice on Monday because of the heat, and according to team representatives on Tuesday he was determined not to quit. He practiced for two hours, vomiting several times but refusing to take himself off the field.

"I think it's a pride thing," Barber said on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America. "You've done it for so long. You don't want to let your teammates down. These guys depend on someone, and guys like Korey Stringer want to teach the younger guys how to be a professional and fight through things like this."