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A COLLEGE football star’s teammates have been left devastated after finding the athlete dead in his dorm room bed.
Kevon Walker, 18, was a freshman defensive lineman for Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, which is about two hours east of Pittsburgh.
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Walker’s teammates found him unresponsive in his dorm on Monday, according to Cambria County Chief Deputy Coroner Joseph Hribar.
Cops said they don’t suspect foul play, according to CBS affiliate WTAJ.
His teammates told the outlet investigators said the football player was “feeling ill” in the days before his death.
Hribar told WTAJ the coroner’s office couldn’t share if the reported illness had anything to do with Walker’s death.
Walker’s cause of death has not been revealed.
Investigators are performing a toxicology report.
Hribar said the coroner’s office and state police are investigating Walker’s death.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Cambria County coroner’s office for comment.
Walker’s mom, Briana Jacobs, told Buffalo’s NBC affiliate WGRZ that the football player died naturally.
“The exact cause is natural causes, it was sepsis, so that’s what we know for a fact, but they are doing extra toxicology tests to make sure it wasn’t nothing else in place,” his family told the outlet.
“But it was not foul play,” the family said.
Jacobs said she last spoke to Walker on Sunday, but didn’t hear from him on Monday, which is when he was found in his dorm.
“I started texting,” Jacobs said.
“I waited a while. I’m thinking he is running drills, just busy or coming back from the Halloween weekend, which is my birthday, so that’s really crushing me.”
Statement from SFU Athletics
Saint Francis University freshman defensive lineman Kevon Walker, 18, was found dead on Monday.
SFU’s Director of Athletics James Downer shared a statement remembering Walker.
“The entirety of the department is heartbroken over the tragic and untimely loss of Kevon,” Downer said.
“Although his time at St. Francis was short, he made a positive impact on the football program, was well-liked and respected among the team, and showed the promise of a very bright future with the Red Flash.
“Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with Kevon’s family, loved ones, teammates, and coaches during this incredibly challenging time.”
Saint Francis University was left devastated by Walker’s death.
Classes were canceled on campus on Tuesday.
A statement from the school said the canceled classes would “allow our campus community time to gather, reflect, and support one another.”
‘LARGER THAN LIFE’
Walker was from Buffalo, New York, which is about a four-hour drive from the school.
He graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo in June.
The high school’s principal, Tom Coppola, shared a tribute to Walker on Facebook.
“Kevon was a larger-than-life presence in so many ways in our building,” Coppola wrote.
“His graduation from Canisius High School was such a great day for he and his family, it was awesome on that day to see him so proud. Our deepest condolences go out to his family.”
Walker just started at SFU in the fall. In his college football career, he had two tackles across three games.
The teen was coached by former NFL offensive lineman and SFU head coach Chris Villarrial.
“The entirety of the department is heartbroken over the tragic and untimely loss of Kevon,” Director of Athletics James Downer said in a statement, according to Sports Illustrated.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to SFU for comment.
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