The son of former NFL wide receiver and CFL Hall of Famer Milton Stegall has died. He was 20.
Chase Stegall — a college soccer player and rising star — died inside his dormitory at DePaul University in Chicago on Monday morning, the school’s President Rob Manuel announced in an email to faculty, according to the DePaulia.
No cause of death was revealed.
“Chase was known for his warmth, strength of character, and vibrant presence — qualities that touched the lives of many both on and off the field,” Manuel said.
“His loss is deeply felt by his teammates, coaches, classmates, faculty, staff, and all who knew him. We extend our heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathies to Chase’s family, friends, and loved ones.”
The Atlanta native was a sophomore and a rising soccer star at the university.
He played in 16 of DePaul’s 17 games this past season as a midfielder and had a goal against Drake University.
Stegall’s coach, Mark Plotkin, and Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy released a joint statement remembering the young rising soccer star as a “dedicated teammate and kind-hearted friend.”
“We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Chase Stegall, a cherished member of our community, dedicated teammate and kind-hearted friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chase’s family, friends, teammates and all who loved him,” the statement read.
“In the coming days, we will support Chase’s family and teammates through this devastating time. His loss will be deeply felt across our entire Athletics and university family and his memory will forever be a part of DePaul University.”
The university said details on the memorial service for Stegall will be announced in the coming days.
Stegall is survived by his parents, Milton and Darlene Stegall, and his brother Collin.
His father, Milton “Milt” Stegall, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 1992 after graduating from the University of Miami at Ohio.
Milt played for the Bengals for 3 seasons before entering free agency and signing with the Green Bay Packers in 1995. However, he was released at the end of training camp after suffering a serious knee injury.
Following his stint in the NFL, Milt moved to the Canadian Football League, where he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1995 and played the last six games of the season.
By the 1997 season, Milt became a key contributor for the Bombers and a household name for CFL fans. The wide receiver would stay with the team until his retirement in 2009.
At the time of his retirement, he was the CFL’s all-time leading receiver with a career total of 845 receptions, 15,153 receiving yards, and 144 receiving touchdowns.
In 2012, Milt was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and is a member of the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame.
In the wake of his son’s death, Winnipeg Blue Bombers CEO Wade Miller said the organization is “heartbroken” about the news of Chase’s death.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the sudden and tragic passing of Chase Stegall, beloved son of Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall,” Miller said in a statement posted on the team’s Instagram Monday.
“Chase was a bright and talented young man with a promising future, and his loss is felt deeply across our entire Blue Bombers family. Our hearts go out to Milt, Darlene, and the entire Stegall family during this unimaginable time. We mourn with them and extend our deepest condolences, love, and support.”