UCONN star conerback Jasper Howard was stabbed early Sunday morning and later passed away. Saturday, UCONN won against Louisville 38-25, where Jasper made 11 tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Saturday night, Jasper and friends went to a school dance in which someone pulled the fire alarm. While people were outside, a fight broke out, Jasper and another classmate were stabbed."I know this, he loved UCONN; he loved his teammates; he loved everything about this." Head coach Randy Edsall stated with his eyes red and welling with tears. Coach Edsall drove to the hospital and had to identify Jasper's body.
"As Jazz looks down on us, I can promise him and his family, that son or daughter will have 105 uncles. And we will do what it takes to not get through this, but to grow from it." Punter and team captain Desi Cullen stated.
Jasper was the first person in his family to go to college and was working hard to get into the NFL. Born in Miami, he has talked about his hard living and how his mother had to work multiple jobs to take care of him and his siblings. The even sad part is that he was going to become a father in which he and the team were excited about.
Jasper made a big play Saturday for the win, he forced a fumble just when Louisville was about to score. After the game, Jasper who led the Big East in punt returns last season, spoke to the AP about the big play.
"I felt my hand go on the ball and I felt that I had a chance to get it out. I just stripped it out. It was a big play. We needed it."
The school has schedule for Jasper mother and two teen sisters to come to Connecticut. Jasper Howard was only 20 years-old. :(
Police still have no suspects and still have not identified the other victim in this case. If you have any information, please contact Connecticut Police at 860-486-4800.
Rest In Peace Jasper Howard, you will be always loved and missed.
