Dilfer's 5-year-old son dies of heart disease

Trevin Dilfer, son of Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer, died yesterday of heart disease at a children's hospital at Stanford University in California. He was 5 years old.

Trevin Dilfer was hospitalized in March with a virus that attacked his heart. He was in critical condition and fought the illness for 40 days, during which he was moved to Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

Trent Dilfer, his wife, Cassandra, and his three sisters were at Trevin's bedside at the hospital yesterday at the time of his death.

"We are deeply grateful for the prayers and kindness of so many relatives, friends and strangers over the past five weeks," Trent and Cassandra Dilfer said in a statement released by the Seahawks. "Trevin was a very brave young boy. ... In this time of sorrow we are thankful for the sensitivity displayed in respecting our privacy."

Private funeral services and a public celebration are being arranged. Trent Dilfer has been in California tending to his son and rehabilitating a torn Achilles that ended his season in October.