- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 433,364
- Reaction score
- 44
You must be registered for see images attach
Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty
A Cincinnati Bearcats helmet sits on the field
Jeremiah Kelly, an 18-year-old football player at the University of Cincinnati, died unexpectedly at his home in Ohio, the Cincinnati Bearcats said.
The freshman reportedly passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, April 22, according to a GoFundMe set up by a family friend. A cause of death was not made available.
"The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man," Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement. "In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room. My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah."
Related: College Football Player Todric McGee Dies at 21 Following 'Possible Accidental Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound'
Kelly had completed spring practice with the team as an early enrollee, the Bearcats said. In 2024, he helped lead his high school team, the Avon Eagles, to a 16-0 record and the school's first state championship, per Cincinnati's statement.
You must be registered for see images attach
Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty
A general view of the North end zone at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Director of Athletics John Cunningham issued a statement, calling Kelly's death a "heartbreaking loss" for the community. "All of us at UC send our love and prayers to the Kelly family and we will do everything that we can to support them and our Bearcats student-athletes in the difficult days and weeks ahead."
Related: 19-Year-Old Student-Athlete and Oregon College Softball Coach Dead After Team Bus Collides with a Truck
The GoFundMe established by a friend of the Kelly family has raised more than $30,000 of its' $50,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon. "Due to the unexpectedness of this, I am trying to help the family in this awful hard time," the family friend said in the fundraiser's description.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Cincinnati football player Evan Tengesdahl commented, "Forever miss you bro," on the Bearcats' post on Tuesday. Another user remembered Kelly as having had "one of the biggest smiles that just lit up the room," in the comments.
Read the original article on People
Continue reading...
