California U Of Pennsylvania Player Jamain Stephens Jr. Dies Of COVID-19

California University of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday that player Jamain Stephens Jr. had died. He was 20. Stephens was set to be a senior in 2020-21. The school said the 6-3, 355-pound defensive tackle had played in 32 games throughout his career. He had three tackles in 11 games in 2019.

"Jamain was such a wonderful student with a smile on his face every time you saw him," athletic director Karen Hjerpe said in a statement. "His personality was contagious and he made such a positive impact on everyone he met.”

According to Stephens’ high school and his obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he died from complications of COVID-19.Cal U's conference, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, suspended all competition for the fall semester in July in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Division II Council followed up in August by canceling fall sports championships. The NCAA shared a message of condolences on Tuesday.

"We join Cal U in mourning the loss of Jamain Stephens," read a tweet from the NCAA. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates during this time."

Stephens was a defensive end at California University of Pennsylvania and a business administration major and honor roll student. He played in 32 games through three seasons. He would've turned 21 on Sept. 21.

Photo: Getty Images


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