A pair of former college football players died tragically last weekend while competing in half marathon events.
Charles “Ace” Rogers, 31, was participating in the Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday when the former Lindenwood, Iowa State and Minnesota defensive back suffered a cardiac arrest around the eight-mile mark. Despite the best efforts of emergency personnel, Rogers was pronounced dead at Maimonides Medical Center.
“It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of one of today’s race participants,” New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer said in a statement after the event. “On behalf of the whole running community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
On the same day, former Texas A&M defensive back Brian Williams, 24, ran a half marathon in Irving, Texas. His brother Rawleigh told The Dallas Morning News that Williams suffered heat stroke after the race and died Sunday morning.
“B you are my heart. The BEST version of us in every single way B. I don’t think I can make it without you but I’m going to try for our parents and our sister. I love you brother,” Rawleigh Williams wrote in an Instagram post Sunday.
Rogers was competing in the Brooklyn Half Marathon for the first time when the unthinkable happened. He leaves behind a wife, Sydney.
“Charles put everything he had into everything he did,” Sydney Rogers, told the New York Post. “While he leaves behind a wife and family that already miss him terribly, he loved being competitive and left us being 100% himself.”
The official Texas A&M football account mourned Williams’ passing on X/Twitter Monday afternoon.
“Here. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of former Texas A&M Football safety Brian Williams ‘24,” the account wrote.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of both men. May they rest in peace.
