STATESBORO, Ga. — Georgia Southern announced the apparent death of a football player, 18-year-old Jordan Wiggins, late Monday night.
Savannah NBC station WSAV reports Wiggins died by suicide, according to the Bulloch County coroner.
In a release Tuesday afternoon, the school said Wiggins was found after a family member called school police and requested a welfare check. He was transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center and later died there.
"My heart is broken for Jordan, his family, our team and this university," head coach Chad Lunsford said in a statement. "Jordan was a great Georgia Southern Man with a bright future. His time on Earth was short, but we know that there is a greater plan, and we must trust that. If he was indeed struggling with some personal issues, I wish the resources that we currently provide our students could have helped more. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone this is affecting."
The school release added "his teammates were hit hard" by the news.
"Our thoughts are with the student's family, friends and classmates," an earlier statement posted to Twitter said. "We will provide further information when it becomes available."
Wiggins was a freshman offensive lineman from Tallahassee, where he starred at Godby High School. He had yet to play in a game for Georgia Southern this season.
Lunsford posted a crying emoji, blue heart and prayer hands to Twitter, quote-tweeting Wiggins' July 2018 announcement that he'd be going to Georgia Southern.
Georgia Southern's athletic director, Tom Kleinlein, said in a statement that Wiggins "left an indelible mark on our program" and "was a great person, a great teammate and a great friend to the entire Georgia Southern community."
Wiggins' high school football team, Godby, posted the news as well, expressing "tremendous sadness."
"With tremendous sadness yet knowing that God's unyielding love will carry us through we mourn the passing of our Son, Brother and Friend Jordan Wiggins," the Godby Cougars football account wrote. "Your passion for school, football, and family will continue on through your Cougar Family."
The Georgia Southern radio network also reacted to the news on Twitter, writing, "Heartbreaking news tonight from Eagle Nation with the passing of Freshman O-Lineman Jordan Wiggins. From our entire crew, our thoughts and condolences go out to Jordan's family and the Eagle Football family."
According to his Georgia Southern athletics bio, Wiggins was majoring in electrical engineering.
Counseling support will be available to the Georgia Southern community, the school said.
Information on Georgia Southern's counseling resources is below:
Screening Hours at the Counseling Centers on the Statesboro campus and Armstrong campus are 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. The Counseling Center may be reached at 912-478-5541 on the Statesboro campus or 912-344-2529 for the Armstrong and Liberty campuses. After Counseling Center hours, or at any time if you feel someone you know may be considering suicide, contact University Police at 912-478-5234. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. The National Crisis Textline is text "HOME" to 741741.
MORE HEADLINES