COLUMBUS, Ohio - An Otterbein University football player was honored by friends and teammates at Saturday's game after he was killed in a car crash Friday morning.
The crash happened just before 6 a.m. Friday on Interstate 270 northbound at Morse Road near Easton. Police reports say that 21-year-old Nigel Chatman had swerved to avoid a two-vehicle accident that occurred in front of him. He lost control, swerved into the median and struck a pole. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at 7:18 AM.
Chatman, who was from Reynoldsburg, was a sophomore at Otterbein and a defensive lineman. He earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors last fall as a freshman.
He was majoring in communication studies.
"We talk a lot about the importance of family as a program, as a department and institution," said Dawn Stewart, director of athletics and interim vice president for student affairs. "Never more is there a time for the meaning of that to come forward than right now. We will pull together and work to continue on for Nigel."
Outside of football, Chatman was involved with the Otterbein Debate Team and served in a work-study role through the athletic department.
"There was never a day that he didn't have a smile on his face," head coach Tim Doup said. "He was never in a bad mood, always ready to go and was about as fun-loving a kid that you can be around. Nigel was a unique vocal presence and could always make somebody laugh no matter what the circumstances. He was competitive, willing and just wanted it all so bad. We will miss him in every way imaginable."
Chatman was honored by his teammates and fellow students at Saturday afternoon's game against Ohio Wesleyan.
A moment of silence followed the National Anthem, and Chatman's jersey was placed on the field before the first play.
"Certainly, while there was still such a deep feeling of sadness, we came together as a team, as a family, as a program," Stewart said of the tribute. "We knew that we wanted to come into today and do this for Nigel. That's what today's about, is honoring him and his family."
The athletics director added that Chatman's family will always be a part of the program at Otterbein University.