The inherent danger of playing football reared its ugly head again this weekend.
With 3:24 remaining in this Saturdays game against Texas A&M-Kingsville, Midwestern State sophomore cornerback Robert Grays made what seemed to be a routine tackle. Moments later, he was taken off the field in an ambulance due to injuring his neck on the play.
Yesterday, he was pronounced dead.
Hes made this tackle hundreds of times, but it was just one of those situations that landed wrong, Kyle Williams, Midwestern State’s interim athletic director told The Wichitan, the school’s student-run newspapaer. It was traumatic for all of us, particularly the football players. As a campus, we are thinking about him every day.
Grays was only 19 years old.
Coach DonteEllington on Twitter
Thank you for blessing this earth with your smile @_RobGee . This FAMILY will fight for you FOREVER!!! #24Strong #WeAllWeGot #WeAllWeNeed
Robert touched many lives while attending the university, but perhaps he will be remembered best for his smile, school president Suzanne Shipley said in a statement. He was an inspiration on and off the field to those around him, and he will be remembered with love and affection by his friends, classmates, coaches, and teammates.
A business major from Houston, Grays appeared in all 11 of Midwestern States games as a true freshman last season, making 24 tackles.
