Charles Rogers, a 31-year-old former college football player, tragically passed away during the Brooklyn Half Marathon on Saturday. Rogers, who began his football career as a defensive back at Iowa State in 2012, later transferred to Minnesota in 2015. However, injuries cut his 2015 season short and sidelined him for the following year. He then transferred to Lindenwood University in Missouri before retiring from football.
Rogers’ death was confirmed after he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the marathon. The Minnesota football team expressed their condolences on Instagram, stating, “Our hearts are broken as former Gopher Charles Rogers tragically passed over the weekend while running the Brooklyn Marathon. Our thoughts are with the Rogers family and all of his loved ones.”
Lindenwood football also shared a heartfelt message for their former player. They mourned the loss of Rogers, extending their thoughts and prayers to his wife Sydney, his parents Teresa Jordan and Charles Rogers, and the rest of his family.
The incident occurred at Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue around 8:11 a.m. Saturday, according to officials. Rogers was approximately eight miles into the course when he collapsed.
Sydney Rogers, Charles’ wife, spoke to the media following the tragic incident. She remembered her husband as someone who put his all into everything he did. She said, “While he leaves behind a wife and family that already miss him terribly, he loved being competitive and left us being 100% himself.”
Rogers’ journey from college football to becoming an avid runner is a testament to his competitive spirit and love for sports. His untimely death has left a void in the hearts of his loved ones and the sports community.