At the lower levels of the sport, college football is often played purely for love of the game. For Norfolk State defensive lineman Nick Ackies, that was likely the case during his first season on campus, as the 18-year-old served as a backup for the program.
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Over the weekend, however, tragedy struck both the program and Ackies' family, as the youngster was reportedly shot and killed. According to the Virginian-Pilot, the shooting took place on Friday evening at an apartment building near campus and it was a former Norfolk State player and graduate that is being charged and arrested for the shooting.
The report cites 22-year-old Jaquan Anderson as the alleged person involved and he is being charged with second-degree murder. That was reportedly confirmed by the Norfolk Police department.
A statement from Norfolk State athletic director Marty Miller described it as "such a tragic situation" and it is hard to add to that in any coherent way. Ackies hailed from nearby Richmond and his family is now left with what we can only assume to be a significant hole moving forward.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with the Norfolk State program and all connected to it.
