SAD NEWS:  Sadly, a Michigan athlete passed away a few hours ago.

SAD NEWS:  Sadly, a Michigan athlete passed away a few hours ago.

“This game is for Ryan”: J.J. McCarthy plays UNLV in memory of his late buddy Ryan Keeler.

The phone rang when Elijah Shelton was playing video games in his flat. The linebacker for UNLV grabbed it up and heard Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, a teammate, on the other end.

Shelton’s life altered with two words:

Ryan is no longer alive.

At first, Shelton said to The Michigan Daily, “I didn’t believe him when he said those two words.” However, I also realised that wouldn’t be a jest. I stopped doing anything because I was in a state of shock and thought about everything.

Shelton hurried to get in touch with his coaches to confirm the devastating news that his close friend and defensive end from UNLV, Ryan Keeler, had been discovered dead in his apartment on February 20, 2023. At the age of twenty-one, Keeler’s thickening cardiac tissue-caused arrhythmia took his life.

Almost

However, during Ryan’s final year, COVID-19 shut down Illinois high school football, and players frantically tried to find teams and entice college offers. That caused the two to part ways, as J.J. choose Florida’sC. Ryan studied online and used his free time to hone his talents at the gym.

J.J. attempted to persuade Ryan to commit to Michigan as well, but Ryan ultimately chose to attend Rutgers, another Big Ten university, for his future. It was their final game together, that state final loss, Ryan’s shouting drowning out a heartfelt game.

Even though Ryan put a lot of effort into his journey to Rutgers, things weren’t always going well. His senior year of intense gym work helped him be ready for fall camp, but a hamstring problem

Reminiscent of Ryan’s hilarious jokes and love for everyone, the mourners continued to share what made him unique. Through charming asides and affectionate barbs, the light within him brought them all together.

J.J. would have been on the defensive line, staring Ryan down as No. 2 Michigan hosted UNLV on Saturday at Ann Arbour. After Ryan transferred, it was a date that both parties had eagerly anticipated—a chance for old friends from high school to get back together and do what they enjoyed.

J.J. is marking this date now, but for a different cause. A moment to pay tribute to Ryan.

Ryan’s No. 47 decal has been on the front of UNLV’s helmets during the whole season. The Opponents