Connecticut Football Team Mourns Fallen Brother

Last night, the Connecticut football team came together for a very touching candlelight vigil in honor of their late teammate Jasper Howard.  Howard was a special person who lived every day to the fullest.

Jazz was a devoted friend, teammate, brother, and overall great type of person.  He came to Storrs to get an education and hoped to play professional football one day.  He had a promising future ahead, and to see his life end abruptly before his 21st birthday is heartbreaking.

He escaped the streets of Miami and had talked about how his mother worked tirelessly to support his family.  He also mentioned his strong bond with his two sisters, one who is 13 and went through a serious battle with Meningitis.

The impact of Jazz's death on this campus is simply unimaginable.  Today, all students are wearing black and dark clothes in remembrance of Jasper's life.  It is a tribute to everything he stood for and a celebration of his life.

Last night's vigil was a time for the football team to come together as one with his parents and family.  It gave a special time to grief the loss of Jazz.  Anytime someone dies it's tough to deal with, but, under these circumstances, no words can correctly describe the emotions and thoughts running through this football team.

Jasper Howard was full of life.  He always had something to say.  He was the type of player that gave 110 percent on every down he was on the field.  His forced fumble and a recovery on Saturday changed the whole momentum to UConn's side.

He was a difference-maker in everything he did.  The sky was the limit on his playing potential and it is a shame that we will never see what Jasper Howard could have been in the National Football League.

His spirit will live on in this UConn football program for years to come.  There will be a candlelight vigil for the entire UConn community tomorrow night.  It will be a tribute to Jazz.

This Saturday, UConn plans to honor Jazz by bringing his jersey and helmet to every game the rest of the season.  They will also have JH stickers on their helmets in his honor.  Jasper Howard will certainly be looking down on his teammates and coaches.

West Virginia will also honor Jazz with a moment of silence, and they will wear number six stickers on the backs of their helmets.  Then there will be an honorary handshake before the game begins.

It is certainly a tough time for all.  Nobody deserves to have their life end this way.  His life will weigh heavy on the hearts of this UConn community; his spirit will still be with this team as they move on and compete the rest of this season.