SOUTH LYON, Mich. (WXYZ) — Close friends and teammates are honoring the memory of 16-year-old Trevon Tyler, a standout high school football player and student who suddenly died.
Those who knew Tyler best are remembering him as a leader on the football team, a gifted student and amazing friend. His loss is being felt by the entire community.
“This is my 22nd year coaching and the first time I’ve experienced anything like this,” says Joe Pesci the South Lyon East Varsity Football coach.
Known for his charming personality and easy going spirit, junior offensive lineman Trevon Tyler impacted everyone he met.
Known to many as “Tre”, he would befriend fellow athletes, along with those he sat next to in class..
Senior Donovan Wright is among those still in disbelief over the loss.
“It hasn’t sunk in. It doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking I was going to show up to school on Monday & he was going to be there,” he says.
“Every day, walking in and out of school, there was Trevon. Doing a dance. Joking around. He was the light of the school,” says fried Dominic Kowalski.
Tre died suddenly on Friday, not long after going through knee surgery. An apparent blood clot taking his life and leaving so many with broken hearts in this closely-knit community.
“We really banded together, to tie trees and polls with ribbons to show the impact he had on the school. Not just the school, but the community,” says Kowalski.
“He was the kind of guy that would do anything for anybody. Said hi to everyone in the halls. Talked to everyone in practice. Just an outstanding young man,” says Pesci.
This Friday at 5 p.m. a vigil is planned to honor Tre on the field he was known to dominate.
At 6”4”, 300 pounds, #54 was already on the radar of college teams.
So many who cheered for Tre are now turning their energy to holding him close in their memory.
“There’s so many things he did amazingly. That’s how I want to remember him. Every single play and down he’ll be with us. We’ll have his jersey on the sideline and stuff,” says teammate Nick O’Donohue.
Those who wish to celebrate the life of Trevon are encouraged to keep supporting his team and they plan to wear helmet decals honoring him when they take the field next season.
