The Golden Gophers football team is mourning the death of former offensive lineman Nick Connelly.
#Gophers mourn the loss of former offensive tackle Nick Connelly. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/R7OLoPwmX7
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 20, 2018
The announcement comes just three days after Connelly’s father, Chuck Connelly, made his son’s cancer battle public, when he said Nick could use a “miracle touch” as he battles Burkitt’s lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Connelly’s father released this message on Thursday about the passing of his son, saying “Heaven needed a right tackle.”
“I just want to make sure everybody knows, from our family to theirs, from our football family, our university, our state, we’re rolling with Nick,” said Gophers coach P.J. Fleck on Tuesday.
Fleck added that Connelly had a lot of teammates “praying for him and supporting him.”
Nick was a brother of ours that will be deeply missed. Words can not express our thoughts.
Our deepest prayers and sympathy to everyone who knew Nick especially his family! So sorry for your loss.
You fought a courageous battle! You will always be one of us. https://t.co/pHqTuHwhyz
— MINNESOTA MOVERS (@Gopher_OLine) September 20, 2018
Connelly played for the Gophers as a redshirt sophomore last season before a fifth concussion and third in two years forced him to stop playing football.
He started five games in 2017 before a concussion against Purdue ended his season and playing career.
Connelly was an All-State lineman for Red Wing High School before committing to the University of Minnesota.
