A 17-year-old football player who was set to start college at Georgia Tech next week tragically lost his life, and authorities have since ruled it a suicide. Bryce Gowdy was hit by a freight train just after 4 a.m. Monday in Deerfield Beach, Florida, he was taken to a hospital where he later died.
In a tearful message on social media, Gowdy’s mother offered some insight into what may have led to his death.
“A few days ago, Bryce was talking crazy…he kept talking about the signs and symbols he was seeing,” said Shibbon Mitchell in a now-deleted social media video. “He kept saying he could see people for who they really are. He was really happy, though, talking about his future.”
“He had a lot of questions about spirituality and life,” Mitchell reportedly said, fighting through tears while saying her family was currently homeless and living out of a car. “He kept asking if I was going to be okay, if his brothers were going to be okay.”
“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is devastated by the news of Bryce’s passing,” Tech coach Geoff Collins said in a statement. “Bryce was an outstanding young man with a very bright future. He was a great friend to many, including many of our current and incoming team members. On behalf of our coaches, players, staff and families, we offer our deepest condolences to Bryce’s mother, Shibbon, and his brothers, Brisai and Brayden, as well as the rest of his family members, his teammates and coaches at Deerfield Beach High School, and his many friends. Bryce and his family will always be a part of the Georgia Tech football family.”
Gowdy was a four-star prospect who helped lead Deerfield Beach High to 30 wins in the past three seasons. He received more than 30 scholarship offers and chose Tech in July over the likes of Oregon, Penn State, Syracuse and West Virginia.
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If you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide, call or text the 24-hour hotline at 800-273-8255.For more information, go to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
