College Football Player Jamain Stephens Dead at 20, School Retracts COVID Claim
College Football Player Jamain Stephens Dead at 20 School Retracts COVID Claim
UPDATE
1:10 PM PT -- Central Catholic principal Tony Baginski says the school "mistakenly" attributed Jamain's death to COVID ... and now says they do not know the official cause of death.
UPDATE
"In an effort to get the news out about his death in a timely manner, we mistakenly attributed his death without official confirmation on cause of death," Baginski says.
UPDATE
"We had obtained the information about his passing from close friends of Jamain, who reached out to us with the news. We apologize for this error."
UPDATE
Baginski adds, "Jamain was the embodiment of everything a Central Catholic student should be: kind, gentle, giving, faithful and a friend to all. We pray for Jamain and his friends and family during this terrible time."
Jamain Stephens -- a 20-year-old defensive lineman for California University of Pennsylvania -- died Tuesday from complications of COVID-19, according to his high school.
Stephens -- listed at 6'3", 255 pounds -- played the past 3 seasons for the Cal Vulcans. Additionally, he made the University's AD Honor Roll in Fall 2019.
Cal had canceled its 2020 football season because of the COVID pandemic, but apparently, Stephens contracted the virus anyway.
The University confirmed his passing but didn't mention a cause of death. Jamain's high school, Central Catholic, issued a statement saying "Jamain went to his eternal reward after suffering from complications of COVID-19."
Here's more from Central Catholic ...
"Known more commonly by his nickname, 'Juice,' Jamain was a defensive lineman for the Vikings, winning two WPIAL championships and a state championship in 2015. Jamain went on to continue his football career at California University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Business Administration."
Cal U athletic director Karen Hjerpe also issued a statement on Jamain's death -- calling him a "wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him."
"His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met."
Jamain's father -- Jamain Stephens -- was an offensive lineman in the NFL from 1997 to 2001 ... playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
RIP
Originally Published -- 5:56 AM PT
