Tragedy struck in the college football world when it was reported that UAB football freshman Allen Merrick died at the young age of 19.
It was on Thursday when Merrick suffered gunshot wounds and had to be hospitalized due to his injuries. Gadsden police said the shooting appears to have been accidental.
“Please pray for the family of Allen Merrick, a young man who joined our UAB Football Family this season,” UAB head coach Bill Clark said. “Allen was visiting home in Gadsden yesterday when he suffered a gunshot wound.”
Almost an hour after his statement, the tragic news came down that Merrick has lost his life.
Merrick was a three-star recruit after being named Gadsden City’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Merrick is the second UAB football player to die this offseason. Safety Jamari Smith drowned in a lake in May.
