Death of USF tight end is latest in Bulls’ troubling death rate

After years of mediocrity, USF football has regained its momentum.

If only it could let go of its sorrow now.

At a time when fans should be excited about the Bulls’ resurgence and eagerly awaiting the start of what could be a historic 2024 season, the optimism is being tempered by obituaries.

The last ones were delivered within six weeks of each other. In mid-May, former Bulls running back Mike Ford died at the age of 37. Details of his death were not disclosed.

On June 24, 20-year-old tight end Teigan Martin died from injuries sustained in a car accident in his native Minnesota. Adding the death (cause of death unknown) of 42-year-old former linebacker Shurron Pierson in February, that’s three former Bulls players – all under 45 – lost this calendar year alone.

Among the recent deaths is the news that former Bulls record kick returner Brian Battie was seriously injured in a shooting on May 18 in Sarasota that also left his brother dead.

“None of the deaths are related, but it’s just crazy how close they are to home,” said former Bulls and NFL cornerback Kayvon Webster. “All we can do is keep praying and keep talking to each other as much as we can because we never know who’s next or when it’s going to happen.”

The deaths of Ford and Martin were the 15th and 16th in the 27-year history of Bulls football. All 16 were 42 or younger. Nine were under 30.

The randomness of the deaths was accompanied by bizarre causes.

One former Bull (Will Bleakley) died in a high-profile boating accident. Another (Javon Camon) died of a broken neck sustained in an indoor soccer game. Another (Elkino Watson) died after being stabbed in an altercation in Ybor City. Only one (Keeley Dorsey) died on campus when he collapsed during an otherwise routine conditioning workout in January 2007.

“I didn’t know there were so many in so few years,” said former linebacker Auggie Sanchez, who remains the program’s top tackler.

“It’s always one of those things that makes you look back and appreciate everything that’s happened in your life and what you have. Kind of like a bull brotherhood, you generally stick together.”

Statistically, that number seems to be in line with the overall population. USF’s official football website lists over 700 honorees, meaning the deceased players make up just over 2% of the Bulls’ alumni base.

“It’s a tricky subject,” said Jay Mize, a defensive back on the inaugural 1997 team. “And I’m curious what the statistics look like for 10 randomly selected programs. How many guys have died under the age of 40 in the last 25 years? … Are we an outlier or are we in the normal range?”

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That’s impossible to determine. Neither Florida, FSU, UCF, Florida Atlantic nor Miami have databases documenting the deaths of current and former players.

Moreover, any statistical analysis is skewed by the recent series of tragedies: three deaths this calendar year, four in the past 13 months, and another former Bull stationed at an intensive rehabilitation facility in Sarasota.

“I don’t think USF is cursed, it’s just so unfortunate that we have to go through something like this,” Webster said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the program itself. These people come from different backgrounds. They had different things going on in their families.”

“It just sucks that this happened to our school.”

Contact Joey Knight at [email protected]. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls

Deaths in USF football

Listed in chronological order are the USF football players known to have died since the program’s inception. Players are listed with their age at the time of their death.

Patrick Payton, 19: June 22, 2001 (motorcycle accident)

Keeley Dorsey, 19: January 17, 2007 (collapsed during a routine weight-lifting workout on campus)

Javan Camon, 25: February 26, 2007 (broken neck during indoor soccer game)

Mike Minus, 27: September 8, 2008 (semi-trailer accident)

Will Bleakley, 25: March 2, 2009 (boating accident)

Reshod Durant, 31: January 26, 2013 (head injuries in an altercation in Gainesville)

Elkino Watson, 23: September 6, 2015 (stabbing in Ybor City)

Joel Miller, 29: September 10, 2017 (cause unknown)

Kenyatta Jones, 39: June 9, 2018 (cardiac arrest)

Joshua Brown, 28: October 4, 2019 (Texas shooting)

Maurice Tucker, 41: January 23, 2021 (cause unknown)

Jamar Taylor, 33: March 9, 2021 (brain aneurysm)

Jon Lejiste, 32: May 26, 2023 (probable drowning)

Shurron Pierson, 42: February 7, 2024 (cause unknown)

Mike Ford, 37: May 14, 2024 (cause unknown)

Teigan Martin, 20: June 24, 2024 (car accident in Minnesota)

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