A freshman football player at Columbine High School in Colorado has died “unexpectedly.”
“We lost one of our bright young Freshman football players, Noah Vesich, this week unexpectedly. The entire Columbine community is mourning this loss,” Columbine Football wrote.
“If you are able to find it in your heart to help his family, we would be grateful,” it added.
We lost one of our bright young Freshman football players, Noah Vesich, this week unexpectedly. The entire Columbine community is mourning this loss.
If you are able to find it in your heart to help his family, we would be grateful.
Thank youhttps://t.co/scNCoAX1Wj pic.twitter.com/LLNKGxwcos
— Columbine Football (@Columbineftbl) September 25, 2026
9News shared further:
Noah Vesich, 14, died suddenly this week, according to a message sent out by Columbine to the school community and confirmed by his family. Vesich was primarily a running back on the freshman team, described by his coach as a hard worker, caring friend and energetic teammate.
“I was shocked,” said Columbine head freshman football coach Dave Lee, describing being in a class he was teaching and realizing he was having trouble registering the news of Noah’s passing. “I found somebody to cover my class and just walked right out the doors.
ADVERTISEMENT“It’s still a roller coaster,” he said. “Time will heal, but it’s going to take a long time on this one.”
Lee said losing Noah has been rough, in particular for those who were especially close to him – including kids who played football with him year after year.
“I know it’s been tough on coaches,” he said, “but it’s tough on everybody right now.”
Tate Smith, one of Noah’s Columbine teammates, said he and his classmates wanted to have a good game in Noah’s honor.
“Represent our best friend, who isn’t here with us anymore,” he said. “We just want him to know how much we miss him. And that we play for him, how much we supported him, and we love him so much.
“He was honestly the funniest on the team,” Smith added. “Everyone loved him. He was just, everyone’s friend.”
“He was a shining light to all who knew him. We are praying for his family and friends during this difficult time,” Columbine Football wrote on Facebook.
Colorado freshman football player Noah Vesich dies 'unexpectedly' at 16 https://t.co/LUVYUfk4Wo pic.twitter.com/jUReky3FaK
— New York Post (@nypost) September 26, 2026
More from the New York Post:
A GoFundMe page was created to help Vesich’s family and has raised more than $32,000 as of early Saturday morning.
ADVERTISEMENT“Noah’s family is going through an incredibly painful time and is now facing the cost of having to pay for the autopsy and funeral,” the GoFundMe page states. “In the middle of grieving this loss, these expenses have become an added burden on the family. What should be a time to focus on mourning and remembering Ariana’s brother and so many people’s friend, Noah Vesich, has also become a time filled with difficult decisions and unexpected financial pressure.
“This fundraiser was created to help cover the immediate autopsy and funeral expenses for Noah Vesich and to ease some of the stress Noah’s family is carrying right now. Every donation will go toward those urgent costs and help Noah’s family as they try to honor Noah and lay him to rest. Any support would mean so much during this difficult time. If you are able to help, the family would be deeply grateful for your support, prayers, and kindness as they mourn this loss and come together to get through the days ahead.”
Students wore white to honor Vesich during Columbine’s 7-3 road loss to Chatfield that snapped a three-game winning streak, staffers told News9.
The football team’s Facebook page promoted the clash alongside a 21 decal for Vesich.
Vesich had been slated to be honored before Saturday’s freshman game against Chatfield, per News9.
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