Brentaro Yamane

Rest In Peace Jamain Stephens

Jamain Stephens crouches down on Adamson Stadium with his football uniform on in 2019.

Earlier today, it was announced on social media that California University of Pennsylvania football player Jamain Stephens died due to COVID-19. Stephens played on the defensive line at California University of Pennsylvania.

Stephens graduated from Central Catholic in 2017 as he played football on the team as well. He played on the varsity team at Central Catholic for three years (2014-16) as he won 2 WPIAL football championships (2015 & 2016) and one PIAA football championship (2015). In the three seasons, that he was on the varsity football team at Central Catholic, his record 40-5. That's pretty impressive.

At California University of Pennsylvania, he played all 11 games for the Vulcans in the 2018 and 2019 seasons while playing 10 games in his freshman season at the school in 2017. He had a total of six tackles and forced one fumble during his time playing with the Vulcans.

Jamain, "Juice" Stephens went viral back in July when he was making one-handed impressive catches at Central Catholic High School that caught national attention as his catches were appeared on the social media platform, Overtime.

Throughout the whole day, many football players, coaches, and other people from around the Western Pennsylvania area commented on Jamain's death.

"Jamain was the nicest guy in the world. Nothing but positivity, strength, and kindness," said Christopher Santilli, who attends California University of Pennsylvania and knew Stephens personally.

"He was someone that would always be playing sports. I'll never forget, he was very at throwing up a deep 3-point shot. We all need to enjoy every moment because it could be taken away within seconds."

Santilli only knew Stephens for a year and he was heartbroken about his death. It can only be imagined how people who knew Stephens for years reacted when they learned about this death.

Overall, Jamain's death hit home. He is the second Central Catholic alumnus to die in the past week as Terrell Pollard, a 2020 Central Catholic graduate, died in the middle of last week. People need to take the virus seriously and enjoy the moments that we have with each other. You never know what can happen in life.

Here is what a lot of people from around the area are commenting on Juice's death.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13