On August 16, 2013, Gavin Class, a former football player at Towson University, faced a life-threatening crisis when he collapsed during practice due to heatstroke. His body temperature soared to an alarming 111 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to a series of critical health complications. Class was hospitalized and placed in a coma as doctors struggled to stabilize his failing organs. He underwent a liver transplant that lasted six hours, thanks to a donor from Pittsburgh. The procedure saved his life, but the road to recovery was fraught with challenges.
Class endured a harrowing journey in the weeks following his transplant. He battled multiple severe health issues, including pancreatitis, a collapsed lung, pneumonia, shingles, appendicitis, and even cancer, requiring four weeks of chemotherapy. Ultimately, he underwent a total of 16 procedures before he was finally deemed out of danger. The entire experience left him with a sense of disbelief. “It was like I fell asleep in August and woke up in October,” he recalled.
Transformation and New Purpose
Despite the physical and emotional toll of his ordeal, Class refused to let his experience define him. Adopting a rigorous physical rehabilitation program, he returned to college with aspirations of playing football again. In 2015, he sought to rejoin the Towson team, but his request was denied, a decision upheld by the courts. Now at 33, Class resides in Erie, Colorado, with his wife, Rachel, and their infant daughter, Shiloh. He works as a sports performance coach, focusing on training young athletes who aspire to excel in their sports.
“I know how people chase their dreams,” Class stated. His work allows him to help others achieve goals that he was forced to abandon. Many of his clients have faced their own sports-related traumas, enabling him to connect deeply with them. “It’s easy to relate to athletes who’ve had season-ending injuries. They know my story; we can connect.”
Class carries physical reminders of his past struggles, including a distinct scar on his chest from the transplant surgery, which required 47 staples to close. He also sports a tattoo of Philippians 4:13, which reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse encapsulates his belief that his survival was not merely a matter of chance but part of a greater plan.
Advocacy and Legacy
Class has taken significant steps to raise awareness about heatstroke and safety protocols in sports. He authored a book detailing his journey and, with his family, established the You Only Live Twice (YOLT) Foundation in 2017. The nonprofit aims to support organ transplant patients and those affected by heat-related injuries, having raised nearly $500,000 since its inception.
In 2018, after the tragic death of Jordan McNair, a University of Maryland lineman who collapsed from heatstroke during practice, Class was invited to visit McNair at the University of Maryland Medical Center. There, he found himself in the same critical care unit where he had fought for his life five years earlier. Holding McNair’s hand, he whispered words of encouragement: “Be strong, Jordan. Fight every day. Be positive.” Tragically, McNair passed away just a week later.
The impact of his near-fatal heatstroke continues to resonate in Class’s life. He undergoes regular blood tests to monitor his health and celebrates his “liverversary” each year on August 16. This date serves as a poignant reminder of the gift of life that he received. He often reflects on the family of his liver donor, expressing gratitude for their contribution to his second chance. “We write to each other through a third party,” he explained. “They said that I’m blessed with this gift, and that I should cherish it and use it for the glory of God.”
While Class has come to terms with not returning to the football field, he acknowledges that his experience has shaped him profoundly. “If not for [the setback], I wouldn’t have found my faith in Jesus, so I’m grateful for my heatstroke. Sounds weird, doesn’t it?”
Through his advocacy and coaching, Gavin Class exemplifies resilience, inspiring others to pursue their dreams while promoting safety and awareness in sports. His journey from the brink of death to a fulfilling life dedicated to helping others underscores the indomitable human spirit.
