he was 20 years old .
the washington post reported that lee , a redshirt freshman defensive back from fairfax , virginia , died but did not disclose the cause of death .
the university 's president , ronald a. crutcher , said in a statement that lee was an undeclared pre - business major and referred to him as " a good friend . "
it ’s his own brain injury caused by contact sports .
lee , the university of richmond football player and paul vi catholic high school graduate who died early tuesday morning , will donate his brain to the veterans administration - boston university - concussion legacy foundation brain bank , a repository of more than 650 donations established to study traumatic brain injuries and the neurodegenerative illness chronic traumatic encephalopathy ( cte ) .
” the concussion legacy foundation is a nonprofit that advocates for the study and treatment of brain trauma in athletes and other at - risk groups , including veterans .
gus was a terrific young man and a great member of our richmond family , " richmond coach russ huesman said in a statement . "
since 2008 , co - founder and chief executive chris nowinski has solicited donations of brains for researchers at boston university to study .
“ we sincerely spider gates shown entering e. claiborne robins stadium on the campus of the university of richmond .