POWDER SPRINGS - One the memories that Tyler Bradford, a Hillgrove High School offensive lineman, has of his father is the passion with which he loved football.

Jeff Bradford coached his son when he was younger, attended all of his Hillgrove games, and used season tickets to take him to see the Atlanta Falcons.

"He taught me the mentality of football, of being a winner," said Tyler Bradford, a 17-year-old senior. "He taught me just about everything I knew."

In April, Jeff Bradford died of sudden cardiac death, which is the result of an abrupt loss of heart function. He was 45 years old.

To honor his memory, the Jefferson Memorial Tennis Tournament featuring men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, is scheduled at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Lost Mountain Tennis Center at 4845 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs.

The entry fee per player is $20. Winners and finalists will receive prizes. Proceeds from the fundraising event will be donated to the Hillgrove High School Grid Iron Club. Admission is free to the public.

Tennis was another favorite pastime of Jeff Bradford, said his widow, Shirley Bradford of Powder Springs. The couple regularly played with friends Randall and Belinda Cowart of Marietta. That's why his family and friends were shocked to learn he died of SCD. In fact, the night before he died, Jeff Bradford had been at the Lost Mountain tennis courts.

"He was here that night, watching me play tennis. We went home, went to bed and he didn't wake up," recalled Shirley Bradford, 52. "You would think something would happen on the tennis court; not at home when you're resting."

In sudden cardiac death, the victim may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. The time and mode of death are unexpected, and it occurs within minutes after symptoms appear, according to the American Heart Association.

An estimated 294,851 emergency medical services-treated, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.

Jeff Bradford had received a clean bill of health from his physician, who gave him a physical exam at the beginning of this year, his wife said.

Alison Ellison, a nurse at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, said most people at risk of SCD do not know it because there are few warning signs, though fainting during exercise is a symptom. She said only about 5 percent of SCD victims survive because most do not get the immediate emergency medical treatment - CPR or the use of an automated external defibrillator - needed to jumpstart their hearts.

Both adults and children are susceptible to SCD. A genetic connection has been found by researchers in many conditions.

"It's not a simple test that can say whether or not you have this," said Ellison, a Kennesaw resident. "But once you know that it's in your family, then people can be checked out. There are genetic tests. In some cases, they can find it on an EKG or echocardiogram."

Tyler Bradford said he is in the process of being examined for heart disorders.

Organizers of the tennis tournament hope it brings more awareness to SCD through Project SAVE, a program created to educate school systems and doctors about pediatric SCD. Ellison is the program's coordinator at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

"In my heart, I knew I had to do something to honor him and his family," said Randall Cowart, a close friend and tournament coordinator. The event "is well-rounded for the community, school, family, and tennis."

A special opening ceremony is scheduled Saturday to start the tournament, said Randall Cowart. He said it will feature Hillgrove's principal, football head coach and Jeff Bradford's family.

"He was a good friend, a good father and good husband," Shirley Bradford said of her late husband.

Donations may also be sent to Hillgrove High School Grid Iron Club, c/o Randall Coward, 1597 John Ward Road, Marietta, GA 30064.