UNLV’s new defensive lineman, red shirt freshman Ryan Keeler, has tragically passed away. He died in Las Vegas on Monday, passing away at just 20 years old. UNLV, though it issued a press release regarding Keeler’s death, did not give a cause of death. In the statement, UNLV’s first-year football coach, Barry Odom, said:
“We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rebel family. While I had the honor of knowing Ryan for only a couple of months, he already stood out to our coaching staff as an incredible person, student and teammate. Our condolences and prayers go out to Ryan’s family as we grieve along with them over this tremendous loss.”
Similarly, UNLV athletic director Erick Harper said “The UNLV family is in mourning today over the sudden loss of one of our own. Our hearts go out to all of Ryan’s family and friends along with his Rebel teammates.”
Joining those athletic figures was UNLV president Keith E. Whitfield, who said “Words are hard to come by this evening as we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of UNLV student-athlete Ryan Keeler. My sincere condolences are with Ryan’s family, friends, loved ones and teammates during this very difficult time.”
The Las Vegas Review-Journal, commenting on Keeler’s career in its report on his tragic passing, said:
Keeler, a 6-foot-6-inch, 275-pound sophomore from Chicago, played in seven games last season and had eight tackles and one sack.
He transferred from Rutgers before the season as a redshirt freshman. He was a three-star recruit after attending Nazareth Academy in Chicago.
Keeler was a business major at UNLV with a 3.80 GPA. Those high academic marks earned him a spot on the Academic All-Mountain West team.
Mr. Keeler, sadly, isn’t the only student to tragically die at a young age in the Las Vegas area recently. A seemingly healthy high school student did as well, as we reported on The American Tribune, saying:
A high school senior named Jordan Brister recently passed away after collapsing at school, Amplus Academy in Las Vegas. Amplus Academy, writing about Brister’s tragic passing on Facebook, said:
It is with deep sadness and sympathy that we announce the passing of one of our Senior High School students, Jordan Brister.
The Amplus community sends our love and condolences to the Brister family as well as to all of Jordan’s family, friends and acquaintances.
Those that would like to support the family financially can do so by using the Go Fund Me that has been set up on Jordan’s behalf. Link in our Instagram profile or on Facebook.
The GoFundMe link shared by the school added more details about Jordan, his life plans, and what the GoFundMe is raising funds for, saying:
The Brister family has suffered a tremendous loss, a loss none of them were prepared for. Jordan Tyler Brister suddenly and unexpectedly suffered cardiac arrest while at school with no explanation as to why. Jordan was a senior in high school who planned to join the military after graduating. Words cannot express what the Brister family is going through and there will never be enough answers as to why this has happened. He was an amazing kid who loved life to the fullest.
We would like to raise money to help the Brister family pay for his final farewell during this very painful time. Any donation you can make to the GoFundMe link below will be given to the Brister family for Jordan’s services and anything else they may need at this time. With the many challenges they are facing, let us come together and support them.
By: Will Tanner. Follow me on Twitter @Will_Tanner_1
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