XFL has two deaths occur within weeks of each other in Texas. 'Unrelated, tragic losses'

The XFL says the unexplained deaths of one of the league’s players and an athletic trainer that occurred less than six weeks apart are not related.

Chris Smith, a defensive end playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons, died Monday in Dallas and the cause of death is pending, according to records obtained by USA TODAY Sports. He was 31.

Ben Siegfried, a former college football player who was working as an athletic trainer for the St. Louis Battlehawks and D.C. Defenders, died March 10 in Arlington, Texas, where the league’s operations are headquartered. The cause of death is pending, according to the Arlington Police Department. Siegfried was 22.

“These were unrelated, unfortunate and tragic losses,’’ Jeff Altstadter, VP of Communications for the XFL, told USA TODAY Sports Wednesday by email. He added, “We have no reason to believe that there is any connection.’’

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Tim Ciesco of the Arlington Police Department, which is investigating Siegfried's death, said via email, "At this point, we don’t have any information / evidence that would suggest a link between Mr. Siegfried’s death and any other death investigations.

"Once the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determines the official cause / manner of death, we’ll know if there is any additional investigative work to be done on our end.''

The Dallas Police Department, which is investigating Smith's death, did not respond when asked if they are looking at a possible link between the deaths.

Members of Smith's family and Siegfried's family did not return requests for comment left by phone and email.

"The entire XFL family is mourning the loss of both Ben and Chris and we are thinking of their families,'' Altstadter said..

He said the XFL – owned by Dwayne "The Rock'' Johnson, Johnson's former wife and private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners – is making sure its players have counseling and their families “know that they’re in a safe environment.’’

There are approximately 400 players in the eight-team league.

Asked if safety is a concern, Altstadter replied, “We have excellent staff here, incredible professionals. It’s one of our fundamental values as a league to provide the best in health care and services to our players.’’

On Monday, Dallas police officers found Smith unresponsive at 12:42 p.m. after being called to the 7000 Block of North Stemmons Freeway.  Smith died at the scene, according to Juan Fernandez of the Dallas Police Department.

“At this time, the case is being investigated as an unexplained death,’’ Fernandez, a Public Information Officer, wrote by email. He said he could not disclose who called police.

Kevin Banks Sr., one of Smith’s former coaches at West Rowan (N.C.) High School, said Smith was found in his room at the team hotel. An employee at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center confirmed members of the Sea Dragons stay at the hotel.

Ron Zook, defensive coordinator for the Sea Dragons, told USA TODAY Sports that Smith was sick last week and did not play Sunday. Zook said he had no more information.

Smith spent eight seasons in the NFL. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Smith played in 72 career NFL games. He made two starts and recorded 80 total tackles, 26 quarterback hits and 11 sacks. This season, Smith also appeared in five games with the Sea Dragons.

On March 10, Siegfried was found unresponsive in a hotel’s gym and police responded at about 11:40 p.m. after a hotel employee reported the matter, said Ciesco, who works in media relations for the police department.

The address for the location of death was the same address as for the Hilton Arlington, according to records obtained by USA TODAY Sports. A hotel employee confirmed the Battlehawks stay at the hotel.

Officers performed CPR until EMTs arrived and then Siegfried was transported to Arlington Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to Ciesco.

“It’s unclear what caused him to collapse in the gym,’’ Ciesco said by email. “Detectives obtained a search warrant for his hotel room – but did not locate anything inside that could explain why he died.’’

Siegfried played football at Lebanon Valley College, a Division III school in Annville, Penn., and last played in 2021, according to his bio with the team.

Contributing: Jaylon Thompson, Tom Schad