Oldenburg, Germany - A former German second division football professional, Jerzy Hawrylewicz, died on Friday after 17 years in a vigil coma, his family said Saturday.

The 50-year-old Polish-born player collapsed and suffered a heart attack during a game in 1992 for the second team of VfL Oldenburg, but was revived after being given mouth to mouth resuscitation by Oldenburg's co-coach Klaus-Peter Nemet.

However, he then fell into a persistent vegetative state.

Hawrylewicz's wife Ewa and children Joanna (28), Lukasz (27) and Monika (18) cared for the former footballer for 17 years in their own home. (dpa)