It’s been five years since University of Connecticut football player, and Miami native, Jasper Howard was murdered. The school will unveil a statue for Jasper Saturday after two football fans led a drive to help remember the fallen football star.
“He’s kinda emblematic of the entire UConn football program,” said UConn fan Dan Lowry.
Howard was described as a player who would never quit. In his final game, Howard recorded 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.
“Was he the biggest? Was he the fastest? No, but he probably had more heart than any other defensive back,” said Howard’s coach at UConn, Randy Edsall.
Jasper’s family said he dreamed of providing a better life for them and for his fiance’ His dream was cut short when he was stabbed to death during an on-campus fight that began over a girl. Jasper’s killer, John Lomax III, is serving an 18-year-prison sentence for Howard’s death.
While Howard’s life was cut short, his memory and what he stood for isn’t forgotten by those who knew him the best.
“He wanted to change lives for other children who grew up in the same place as him, who come from rough neighborhoods, who didn’t have much. He wanted to give back to that community,” said Howard’s fiancé, Daneisha Freeman.
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Howard’s legacy will also live on through his four-year-old daughter Ja’Miya, who was born just months after her father was murdered.
“Her being able to walk up, when she can really understand what happened and to be able to see this tribute to him and say, ‘Ya know what, UConn loved my dad,’” Lowry said.
“He would have that big smile on his face and he’d be, you know, gleaming from ear to ear,” Edsall said Howard would have looked if he was there for the ceremony.
About thirty of Jasper’s former teammates will be at Saturday’s game for the halftime memorial ceremony. Jasper’s family and friends from Miami are also planning to travel to the game for the ceremony.
The UConn Huskies will play the University of Central Florida on Saturday with a noon kickoff. The game can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.
