San Francisco 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion, who collapsed and died after the team's exhibition game Saturday night, never tested positive for banned substances since entering the NFL two years ago, ESPN said Monday. But his family did have a history of heart ailments, the New York Times reported in Tuesday's editions.

Herrion's father, J.C., died last year at age 52 from a stroke, which was complicated by diabetes. His mother, Janice, has had high blood pressure and hypertension, the paper reported.

But his brother, Love Savior, 32, said that his brother's autopsy report showed "just regular things," the paper reported.

"There was a little blockage of one artery but not a lot," Savior told the newspaper. "And there was some slight stretching of the heart. But that was about it. We're trying to figure out why it happened."

Savior told The Times that he and his other three siblings had no heart problems.

Herrion's death reportedly wasn't from drugs, either. He was negative three times in the past 12 months for steroids and performance enhancement drugs, including ephedra products, ESPN said.

ESPN cited sources as also saying Herrion was clean in other NFL-administered tests for street drugs.

Less than 48 hours after their teammate collapsed and died, the San Francisco 49ers gathered together, discussed their grief and somehow went back to work.

The team held a light afternoon practice Monday after several hours of meetings and mourning for Herrion, the popular offensive lineman who died Saturday night after a preseason game in Denver.

Judging by the subdued atmosphere at their training complex, Herrion still was on the players’ minds four days before their next preseason game.

“It was a waste for me,” left tackle Jonas Jennings said of the hour-long workout. “Mentally, I wasn’t there. But you’ve got to be a professional. You’ve got to do what’s expected of you.”

Authorities might not know the cause of Herrion’s death for weeks, but no answer will seem logical to his teammates. His fellow offensive linemen got another sobering reminder of their profession’s risks and the physical extremes required to play it well, though no link has been established between Herrion’s weight — well over 300 pounds — and his death.

“It’s something you don’t like to think about every day,” center Jeremy Newberry said. “I think the life expectancy for offensive linemen isn’t great, but it’s part of your job. ... (A player could) try to play at 200 pounds, but that isn’t going to happen.

“I’ve always been big, since I was 9 or 10. I guess I’ll pay more attention to blood pressure issues.”

There were flower arrangements in the complex’s lobby, and grief counselors were available to the players when they arrived at work. The 49ers, who had a regular day off Sunday, canceled their Monday morning practice and closed their locker room to reporters.

49ERS LINEMAN HERRION DIES Herrion’s family had history of heart trouble WP: Herrion’s death simply tragic, stupid Commentary: Nolan faces toughest job yet Analysis: Obviously football still deadly

Team physician Barry Bryant briefed the players on what they saw in the locker room in Denver, where Herrion collapsed shortly after the team recited the Lord’s Prayer. The team chaplain and a crisis expert also addressed the players, who still were clearly shaken by Herrion’s death.

“I knew it wasn’t good when it happened,” said guard Justin Smiley, who was kneeling next to Herrion. “It’s definitely scary. Every now and then, something brings you back to reality.”

Herrion played only in the final minutes of the 26-21 loss to Denver. He was on the field for San Francisco’s 14-play, 91-yard drive shortly before the final whistle.

“He reminded me of myself in college — just a raw talent, eager to learn,” Jennings said. “He was really coming into his own. He just had one of the best drives of his life, right before his life was taken.”

Quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 draft pick who played with Herrion at Utah in 2003, wasn’t ready to speak to reporters.

“I think he’s taking it pretty well, but I know it’s tough,” Smiley said of Smith.

Everyone in the organization is expected to attend a private memorial service Tuesday night in nearby Mountain View — but the team also must move forward in the relentless NFL preseason.

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