Jamain Stephens, a 20-year-old defensive lineman at the California University of Pennsylvania, has tragically passed away after experiencing complications related to the coronavirus, as confirmed by the school and his obituary released on Tuesday.
His father, Jamain Stephens, was a former offensive tackle for the Steelers and had a career spanning five seasons in the NFL during the mid-90s.
Dr. Karen Hjerpe, the Athletic Director at Cal U, expressed, “Jamain was a bright student who always had a smile on his face. His vibrant personality left a positive impact on everyone he encountered.”
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, the talented athlete was a senior pursuing a degree in business administration and had competed in 32 games over three previous seasons at Cal U.
While the university did not disclose the specific cause of his passing, his obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette indicated that he had succumbed to “COVID-19 complications.”
Central Catholic High School, Stephens’ alma mater where he graduated in 2017, lamented, “Jamain has left us due to complications arising from COVID-19.”
“Jamain was a devoted supporter of Central Catholic and was known for cheering on the Vikings while sending encouraging messages to his younger teammates,” the school shared in a statement.
Alongside his father, Stephens is survived by his mother, Kelly Allen, and two siblings.
