Tajh Boyd, a freshman offensive lineman at Liberty University, d!ed on Sunday afternoon. He was 19 at the time. The university did not specify a cause of deαth. Tanzania Belfield and Dawntay Boyd, his parents, survive him.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes, Tajh Boyd,” Liberty said in a statement. “We thank God for bringing Tajh into our Liberty Athletics community and we will always remember him as a Flame. Tajh will be missed dearly.”
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of one of our student-athletes, Tajh Boyd.
We thank God for bringing Tajh into our Liberty Athletics community and we will always remember him as a Flame. Tajh will be missed dearly.
🔗: https://t.co/2LSS6Uhe7d pic.twitter.com/ehQV0EZHtS
— Liberty Flames (@LibertyFlames) August 6, 2023
Teammates paid tribute to the 6-foot-4, 315-pound football athlete on social media, and his high school coach described him as “a formidable force” with an “infectious smile.”
“Tajh’s impact went far beyond statistics and accolades,” Oscar Smith High School coach Chris Scott said to the Virginia-Pilot. “Yes, he was a formidable force on the football field, but it was his infectious smile, positive energy, and ability to uplift others that truly made him larger than life.”
Boyd, nicknamed “Big Baby,” had helped his Chesapeake, Virginia high school win back-to-back state championships as a sophomore and junior.
“It’s gone be a while before this feels real. But imma see you again. Rest easy Lil Brother,” fellow Liberty offensive lineman X’zauvea Gadlin tweeted.
It’s gone be a while before this feels real. But imma see you again. Rest easy Lil Brother💙 https://t.co/rRGRC7Z0pf
— X’Zauvea Gadlin😎💪🏾 he/him (@OGBigFella54) August 6, 2023
The team’s speed and strength coach Chad Scott tweeted, “No words can take this pain away!”
“I love you and appreciate our time together! You had a huge smile that could light up any room. Would love to give you one more hug and tell you I love you forever.”
No words can take this pain away! I love you and appreciate our time together! You had a huge smile that could light up any room. Would love to give you one more hug and tell you I love you forever 💪 🙏 https://t.co/mUnSftwB8l
— Chad Scott (@coachchad_scott) August 6, 2023
According to the university, Boyd was a three-star prospect out of high school who committed to play for Liberty before his senior year.
According to the Liberty athletic department, he was enrolled to study in Interdisciplinary Studies and hoped to become a computer science engineer after graduation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tajh’s family, his teammates and friends, our football coaching staff, as well as our entire athletics department and the greater Liberty University community,” Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell and athletic director Ian McCaw said in a statement. “We grieve as a family and will seek the Lord’s guidance, comfort, and understanding during these difficult times.”
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For almost 4 years, Jason Martin has been a freelance writer for newspapers, journals, blogs, books, and online material. He covers the most recent news as well as many other topics.