The coaching staff with both the AKO Fratmen and the Essex Ravens are still absorbing the shock but say they will commemorate the life of former quarterback Nick Romain.
Romain, a former Holy Names Secondary School student who also played for the University of Windsor Lancers, died of cardiac failure last Saturday. He was 31-years-old.
Over the past few years, Romain lived in London where he was studying to become a personal support worker. During that time, he played for the semi-pro London Silverbacks. In 2009, the team's bus was involved in a fiery crash in Indiana and Romain was later given the Governor General's Medal of Bravery for rescuing two children.
"He was pretty humble about it, says Fratmen head coach Mike LeChance. "His attitude was anyone would have did it if they were in my situation, but that's not the truth. Not everyone would do stuff like that, but with Nick, that was the way he was."
LeChance says the Fratmen hope to hold a game in his memory during their upcoming season. Head coach of the Essex Ravens, Glen Mills says his team is also talking about ways to remember Romain.
The visitation is Friday at Families First on Lauzon Rd. in Windsor from 3pm to 5pm, and 7pm to 9pm.
A GoFundMe account has also been set up to help pay for funeral costs.