Sadly, there’s some unfortunate and heartbreaking news coming out of the college football world today as Minnesota has confirmed the death of linebacker Gary Tinsely.
From the Associated Press report:
A news conference with coach Jerry Kill, quarterback MarQueis Gray and university Police Chief Greg Hestness was held this afternoon.
“There was no immediate indication of crime, things you would expect with weapons or a struggle,” Hestness said. “All of those things are absent. Nevertheless, a death of a young athlete is out of the ordinary, so we only get one opportunity to handle the crime scene properly. So we’re treating it as a suspicious death.”
Tinsley finished his athletic eligibility but remained enrolled in school at Minnesota this semester. He finished last season second on the team in tackles.
“It’s a very, very sad day for our football program and for our young men,” Kill added. “We lost one of ours today in Gary Tinsley, who I know is in a good place. Gary is a young man that has done everything I asked him to do since the day I walked in this door. ... All our hearts from our program through our administration and certainly our players goes out to Gary’s family. They are a long way away and headed in this direction. I couldn’t imagine.”
Perhaps most affected by Tinsely’s death was Gray, who said he was texting his friend last night.
“I told them that we needed to stick together, make this team stronger,” Gray said. “I know that I’ve been friends with (Tinsley) for about four or five years now, and he’s grown on me. This morning, it was bad for me as one person to come up here and address the team seeing everyone crying - coaching staff and trainers.
“It was just a sad day for Gopher Nation, as well as the Gopher football team. It’s just weird how things work. Last night, we (were) just texting each other, and today, he’s gone. I guess that’s just the way God works. He was a great player, great teammate and great friend.”
He was just 22 years old.
(Hat tip: St. Paul Pioneer Press)
