Just before the end of the year we learned of the tragic death of Georgia Tech recruit Bryce Gowdy’s death after being struck by a train. Details immediately following the accident were few, but today the Broward County Medical examiners office gave its official ruling.
Bryce Gowdy who was set to arrive on campus at Georgia Tech in early January died from blunt force trauma injuries which as outlined by the medical examiners’ office were caused by Gowdy himself.
News of Bryce Gowdy’s suicide came as a shock to many, Georgia Tech’s head football coach Geoff Collins had this to say:
“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is devasted by the news of Bryce’s passing.” “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.”
Bryce Gowdy according to his mother since Christmas had continuously expressed his negative view of the world and the people in it. He felt an extreme amount of guilt for preparing to leave his family behind who had financial troubles that left them homeless.
After being asked to grab a blanket from the car by his mother, Bryce Gowdy never returned to the hotel room and it would be the last time his family saw him alive.
This is a very sad situation all around, a young man with a promising future is gone at a very young age. Unfortunately many of the same issues that caused Bryce Gowdy to feel he had no way out are things many talented athletes deal with who come from less fortunate situations.
The idea of amateurism and rules set in place by the NCAA continues to weigh heavily on the minds of teenagers who must decide on whether or not they should stick around and help the family now or submit to additional years of poverty while everyone else around them collects piles of cash.
While the NCAA in no way intentionally pushes anyone to harm themselves physically or mentally the unintentional effects of hamstringing these young men from providing for their families as soon as possible do have a detrimental effect on minorities.
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