Louisiana’s Northwestern State University has canceled Saturday’s football game against Nicholls following the tragic passing of one of its players.
Ronnie Caldwell, a junior safety on the Demons was shot to death near his apartment. His body was found on Thursday morning.
“After a Northwestern football player was found with several gunshot wounds at an apartment complex on University Parkway early this morning, Natchitoches Police are asking the public for help finding those responsible for the fatal shooting, Brooke Thorington of Louisianaradionetwork.com reported on Thursday.
“Corporal John Greely said 21-year-old Ronald Caldwell’s body was found between two buildings at the complex where he lived,” the report added.
The school’s athletic website announced that “Northwestern State has canceled Saturday’s football game at Nicholls after the passing of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell.”
In the same release, Brad Laird, Northwestern State’s head coach, expressed his grief over Caldwell’s passing and also spoke highly of him.
“The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss,” Laird said. “Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field. He was our voice in the locker room. When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident. He did not play a snap this year because of an injury, but his voice resonated with every member of our team from the first player to the 115th on our roster.
“Our hearts are broken and ache for Ronnie’s family and friends. His loss will be felt here at Northwestern State, in Natchitoches and in his home. We will treasure the time we spent with Ronnie and the memories we made, and we will hold him and his family in our hearts as we attempt to move forward in the days and weeks ahead.”
Weston Glaser, Northwestern’s Defensive Coordinator, made a statement on Twitter. In part, it said “There is no question how big of a heart Ronnie had. There are no words to make this pain go away. He will be forever loved. He was a great man, son, brother, teammate and mentor to my little boys. You will be truly missed 23. Love you so much!”
https://twitter.com/Coach_Glaser/status/1712625799365312913
[Louisianaradionetwork.com, Weston Glaser on Twitter, Photo Credit: NSUDemons.com]
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