Albertville football player Julius Jamear Staten passed away on Monday
The Albertville student who passed away on Monday was identified as Julius Jamear Staten, the school and football announced.
Staten passed away following a morning car crash on the way to football practice. WAAY31 reported earlier this morning the accident was on Alabama 205 around the 2400 block. Staten was pronounced dead at the scene.
Staten was a junior offensive tackle and nose guard for the Aggies, and his coach Bert Browne thought he had the potential to play at the next level. He had started both ways in the first two games on the season for the Aggies.
"We lost a gigantic teddy bear, just a good person," Browne told the Gadsden Times, while posting the following on the team's X page, the platform formerly known as Twitter:
"Today is the hardest day of my coaching career. We lost a fine young man in JJ Staten. He will be missed! Please pray for his family."
The Aggies canceled football practice on Monday and will host a short one on Tuesday. They are still preparing to play their scheduled game Friday according to Browne.
“Julius Staten was an incredible student who embodied the spirit of being an Albertville Aggie. Julius had an infectious smile that could light up a room. The Aggie Nation is saddened by the loss of one of our own. AHS appreciates the outpouring of support from so many during this difficult time. Please keep Julius' family, students, and faculty in your thoughts and prayers," Albertville high principal Jordan Phillips said in a statement.
The Albertville City school system released the following statement on Monday:
"It is with heavy hearts today that we share the devastating news of a tragic car accident that occurred this morning involving one of our beloved students, Julius “JJ” Staten, who was also a member of our football team.
Our entire system is deeply saddened by this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our heartfelt condolences and support to them.
Our top priority is to ensure that all students and staff receive the support they need to cope with this tragic loss. Counselors and support services from multiple agencies and local churches will be available tomorrow at the high school to help our students and staff navigate through this challenging time. LifePoint Church has graciously opened its doors to provide support and assistance tonight as well from 6-8 p.m..
ACS is a tight-knit community, and together, we will find strength and support one another through this difficult period of grief and mourning. We encourage all students, staff, and community members to reach out to one another, lean on their support networks, and remember the positive impact this student had on our lives. If any student needs to talk to someone, our dedicated Mental health Coordinator Kristi Rains can be reached at krains@albertk12.org.
We will share additional information about memorial services and ways to support the family as details become available. In this moment of sorrow, we ask for your understanding, compassion, and respect for the privacy of the family and our school community."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Staten family.
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This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Albertville football player Julius Jamear Staten passed away on Monday
