Cincinnati College Football Player Dies Unexpectedly at 18

The University of Cincinnati and the Avon community are reeling following the sudden passing of one of their own. Jeremiah Kelly had a promising future in football, and was regarded dearly by those who knew him.

Kelly passed away in his sleep on April 22, 2025. The 18-year-old was a freshman at the University of Cincinnati and his college football career had just begun with the Bearcats.

The university acknowledged his passing in a statement on the school website. In the short time that Kelly was a part of the team, head coach Scott Satterfield said he "made a real impact," both on the field and in the locker room.

"My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Kelly," he concluded.

A fellow Avon football mom started a GoFundMe to help Kelly’s family with funeral expenses. The goal was to raise $50,000, but with over a thousand donations, the campaign has collected over $66,000 as of this writing.

The Avon Local Schools district is planning a visitation for Kelly on Saturday, April 26, at Providence Church, and a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, April 30, at Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet Stadium.