The college football community is mourning the tragic loss of Ryan Quinney, a player from Mississippi Valley State, who died in an accident on Friday.

Quinney, aged 20, succumbed to injuries from a car accident on Friday evening, as confirmed by the school. This unfortunate event occurred just before MVSU’s game against Jackson State scheduled for Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi. The school shared this heart-wrenching news via Facebook at 12:38 p.m. ET, ahead of the 2 p.m. kickoff.

“We are devastated to announce that our cherished student, Ryan Quinney, tragically passed away in an auto accident last night,” the school posted on Facebook. “Ryan was a shining star in our community, uplifting everyone around him. His absence will be profoundly felt by friends, faculty, and all who knew him.”

“In this challenging time, we offer our sincere condolences to Ryan’s family and loved ones. Please keep them alongside his friends and classmates in your thoughts and prayers. Let’s remember Ryan’s influence on our lives and honor his memory by supporting one another through this hardship.”

“Rest in peace, Ryan.”

As a tribute, Quinney was included in the pregame prayer, with team captains from both sides paying their respects at midfield. During MVSU’s initial drive, the team intentionally took a delay-of-game penalty in his memory, which Jackson State chose to decline.

Here’s what you should know about Quinney:

Who was Ryan Quinney?

Ryan Quinney was a junior linebacker on the MVSU football team. He graduated from Theodore High School in Mobile, Alabama, where he played various positions including tight end, fullback, and defensive end from 2018 to 2022, as noted on his Hudl profile.

The 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker proudly wore jersey No. 31 for MVSU. Over the last two seasons, Quinney participated in 15 games, amassing 73 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and forcing two fumbles. His last game was on October 12 against Alabama State.

According to a report from WAPT-TV in Jackson, Yazoo County Coroner Ricky Shivers indicated that Quinney was a passenger in a vehicle that was fleeing from the Mississippi Highway Patrol on Friday night. The driver lost control of the car in Yazoo City, approximately 50 miles from the MVSU campus in Itta Bena. While the driver sustained injuries, Quinney was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.