After taking a niggling injury early in his career, Rike was put on meatshield duty on the line of scrimmage, where he performed surprisingly well. As time expired in a game the Gryphons had already won, the coach saw an opportunity to be rid of him. He was ordered to stand up and dodge away from a looming zombie, promptly tripped and died. Feeling a bit of guilt, coach Orkblud sent out the apothecary, but Nuffle wasn't to be denied and Rike was killed anyways. Ending his career in style, he rose from the pitch and joined the ranks of the undead.