Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx won an important playoff game on Saturday night, but no one is celebrating.
The school is instead mourning the tragic passing of a 16-year-old player who died hours after the game was over.
Delano Cowan, a junior who played defensive tackle, died at Lincoln Hospital after police responded to calls about someone who had fallen off a building.
Police are still investigating the circumstances of his death.
“It’s a tremendous loss for the family and a very tough loss for us,” said Hayes coach CJ O’Neil. “It’s been a very emotional week.”
Although Cowan did not start for the team, O’Neil said “he was making his way there.”
Cowan’s cousin, Danielle Lyons, has since started a GoFundMe account in his name with a goal of raising $10,000.
“He was amazing,” Lyons said. “He grew up in church. He was dedicated to God, dedicated to everything he put his mind to.”
