INSTITUTE, W.Va. — A former Carson-Newman University football player was killed during a home invasion in West Virginia, the university confirmed on Thursday.
Jyilek Harrington played at Carson-Newman last season before transferring to West Virginia State University for his senior year. His death happened Wednesday evening and is being investigated as a homicide, according to Carson-Newman and WVSU.
The two schools were set to play against each other on Thursday, but the game was delayed until Friday at noon. On Thursday night, the two teams participated in a private vigil.
"Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student athlete Jyliek Harrington," Carson-Newman Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope said. "The Harrington family and the Yellowjackets' campus community are in our prayers. News like this is sad to hear anytime, but today it feels worse with two teams who knew him coming together to play."
WVSU President Ericke Cage is encouraging students, faculty and staff to attend Friday's noon game in honor of him.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jyilek's family as they mourn the loss of this incredible young man," Cage said in a letter to students and faculty.
Harrington is from Charlotte. He played in six games last season at Carson-Newman and was WVSU's second-leading tackler in their week one win.
You can donate to WVSU's Jyilek Harrington Memorial Fund here.