A tragic incident unfolded during the Brooklyn Half Marathon this past Saturday, where a former college football player, 31-year-old Charles Rodgers, lost his life.
Rodgers kicked off his college football journey at Iowa State back in 2012 as a defensive back, later making the move to Minnesota in 2015.
Unfortunately, injuries cut his 2015 season short and sidelined him the following year. He eventually transferred to Lindenwood University in Missouri before stepping away from the sport altogether.
“Our hearts are broken as Charles tragically passed over the weekend while running the Brooklyn Marathon,” the Minnesota Football Team expressed on Instagram. “Our thoughts are with the Rogers family and all his loved ones.”
Lindenwood Football also shared a heartfelt message to honor the former player.
“The Lindenwood Football Family mourns the loss of Ace Rodgers,” they posted on social media on Sunday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sydney, parents Teresa Jordan and Charles Rogers, and the rest of his family.”
According to officials, Rodgers suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed around 8:11 a.m. on Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue.
He was about eight miles into the race when this occurred.
In a conversation after the incident, his wife, Sidney Rogers, reflected on his dedication, stating, “Charles put everything he had into everything he did. Although he left his wife and family—who already miss him tremendously—he loved being competitive and always gave his all.”
