Star California High School Football Player Dies Suddenly at Age 17

Ryder Barnes
Credit: Cal Poly Football

NEED TO KNOW

• High School football star Ryder Barnes died suddenly at 17, Crean Lutheran High School and Cal Poly confirmed in statements
• A cause of death was not made available
• Barnes is remembered as an "exceptional young man" who "showed up with heart, led with strength and left an impact far beyond the field" by his school

A high school football star, Ryder Barnes, died suddenly at age 17, just a few months before he was set to start college at Cal Poly.

Tributes to Barnes began pouring in after Cal Poly confirmed the young athlete's passing in a statement on Wednesday, April 8. Mustang head coach Tim Skipper said, “On behalf of our entire Cal Poly football family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Ryder Barnes."

Barnes was "an exceptional young man with a bright future, and this loss is felt by all of us," Skipper continued. "Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and all who loved him during this incredibly difficult time.”

Ryder Barnes via X
Credit: Ryder Barnes/X

A cause of death was not made available.

Barnes was a star athlete at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, Calif., the school said in a statement. "There are no words big enough to capture the loss we feel. Today we honor an exceptional young man. One who showed up with heart, led with strength, and left an impact far beyond the field."

Barnes is remembered as "an amazing teammate and friend" by Crean Lutheran, and "as a member of our football program, he distinguished himself as a defensive end, earning Epsilon League Defensive Player of the Year, All Orange County, and Defensive MVP Honors," the school said, adding, "Yet those accomplishments represent only a small piece of his story."

Crean Lutheran said Barnes was raised by his grandparents, "helped raise his younger sister, and was dearly loved by his older brother and sister.

"We are keeping his family and all who loved him in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Your light, your energy, and your brotherhood will never be forgotten. You weren't just a teammate, you were family."

One of Barnes' former coaches commented on Crean Lutheran's post, sharing that he feels "heartbroken" by the loss but "grateful" to have been able to mentor Barnes.

Another former coach, David Benefield, who played in the NFL briefly, wrote, "Beyond devastated, stunned into numbness. I'm going to miss you kid, the quizzical looks before drills, the good natured personality. The down to earth goodness. Cal Poly missed a great one. You will not be forgotten."

Read the original article on People