The father of a former Georgia high school football standout has died because of the coronavirus.
Corey Reed was only 43 years old. His son, Corey Reed Jr., played at Roswell High School and is a receiver at Louisville.
The college confirmed that Reed died Wednesday at a metro Atlanta hospital.
“My deepest condolences go out to Corey and his entire family," Louisville coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement released Thursday by the school. “This horrible virus has affected so many people, and it's even more difficult when it touches someone in the U of L football family."
Reed Jr. played two seasons at Louisville, 2017 and 2018, before he entered the transfer portal. 247Sports reported that he was headed to Georgia State, but he ended up playing four games at Iowa Western Community College and then returned to Louisville last month.
Reed Jr. caught 72 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns during his high school career at Roswell. He had 30 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.
John Ford, now an assistant coach at Bleckley County, was Reed Jr.’s high school coach at Roswell. He said he texted with his former player Thursday.
“I just told him I loved him and I was here for him if he needs anything,’’ Ford said. “I just love that kid. He’s such a competitor. I know they have a great staff (at Louisville), and they’ll wrap their arms around him. One of my first thoughts was that I wanted to go up and see him, but I don’t know if I can (because of coronavirus restrictions).''
He added that Reed Jr. is “somebody that with the game on the line will give you everything he’s got. If it’s block a 300-pounder or catch the game-winning pass, he’s the guy. I just pray that he graduates and gets in the league (NFL) because he's a special kid.”
Ford said Reed Sr. wanted his son to do the right things off the field as well as on it.
“He just loved his kid and loved to see him do exceptionally well. I know that Corey wanted to make his mom and dad proud.’’
The AJC’s Todd Holcomb contributed to this article.
