Hamilton Southeastern Schools mourns death of star football player

By REYNA REVELLE
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

Hamilton Southeastern Schools is taking time to remember the life of Mason Alexander, a star football player tragically lost his life in a car crash over the weekend.

Alexander

In response to the tragedy, Hamilton Southeastern Schools has activated a crisis response team to help support those affected by 18-year-old Mason Alexander’s loss. On Monday, students and faculty held a balloon release vigil on the football field in his memory.

“I want to be in the NFL,” Alexander said during remarks last Wednesday. “I want to be able to represent Coach Sanders and Coach Archie as the best corner who could do it.”

Alexander was a beloved student and football player at Hamilton Southeastern High School (HSE). He graduated in January and went to play football at the University of Pittsburgh. He tragically lost his life in a car crash on Saturday night.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says that Alexander was a passenger in a BMW on Saturday night. They say the BMW tried to pass another vehicle, swerved into oncoming traffic, and hit a Toyota Rav4. Both vehicles veered off the road. The Toyota hit a mailbox, and the BMW struck a tree and caught fire. Alexander died at the scene.

“Mason was fantastic! He was,” said Jayden Whorton, wide receiver coach at HSE. “Any room he walks into, he’s going to light it up, for sure. With his smile, presence, and energy.”

The loss has deeply affected the Hamilton Southeastern community, with classmates gathering at the crash site on Sunday to pay their respects. One of his coaches shared that he will always be remembered for his leadership and kindness on and off the field.

“He didn’t talk crap,” Whorton said. “You tell him what to do, and he does it. He was a very coachable and respectful person. I’m a younger coach, and ever since I came here, they welcomed me with open arms. On the field, he was a leader and a man amongst boys.”

When students and families arrived at the campus, the atmosphere of such a sudden loss was quite somber. The Hamilton Southeastern community released over 2,000 balloons, all in the colors of the Royals’ blue, yellow, and white.

News 8 spoke with the athletic director and head football coach at Hamilton Southeastern, who said they are still processing this entire weekend. They describe him as not the biggest man, but one with the biggest smile.

“There are people out here who know Mason and his family, or just want to be a part of something,” said Jim Self, athletic director at HSE. “I’m thankful for that. I’m sure it means a great deal to the family, and to us as a school and community to get this kind of support for this young man.”

“I remember him coming in as a freshman. He was not the biggest guy, but he had the biggest smile,” said Michael Kelly, head football coach at HSE. “Just an amazing young man. He brought joy to a room. He was a guy who that fun-loving individual you never had bad days, except early in the morning, he didn’t like that, but outside of that, he was the life of the room.”

After the release of the other balloons, family and students stayed to console one another in this difficult and dark time. They also took the time to pray together for healing.

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/local-news/hamilton-southeastern-schools-mourns-loss-of-star-football-player.