COLUMBUS, OH. (THECOUNT) — Nigel Chatman, an Otterbein University football player, has been identified as the victim in a fatal crash in northeast Columbus Friday morning, according to reports.
Chatman, 21, died in a crash that occurred before 6 a.m. Friday on Interstate 270 northbound at Morse Road near Easton. He was majoring in communication studies.
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The university identified the victim as Chatman.
Police said a second person was injured in the crash. They have not been identified at this time.
Chatman, who was from Reynoldsburg, was a sophomore at Otterbein and a defensive lineman. He earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors last fall as a freshman, reports 10TV.
“We talk a lot about the importance of family as a program, as a department and institution,” said Dawn Stewart, director of athletics and interim vice president for student affairs. “Never more is there a time for the meaning of that to come forward than right now. We will pull together and work to continue on for Nigel.”
Outside of football, Chatman was involved with the Otterbein Debate Team and served in a work-study role through the athletic department.
“There was never a day that he didn’t have a smile on his face,” head coach Tim Doup said. “He was never in a bad mood, always ready to go and was about as fun-loving a kid that you can be around. Nigel was a unique vocal presence and could always make somebody laugh no matter what the circumstances. He was competitive, willing and just wanted it all so bad. We will miss him in every way imaginable.”
The university said the football team will still play Saturday at Ohio Wesleyan at the request of Chatman’s family and decision from the players.
Geo quick facts: Columbus is Ohio’s state capital. The city’s Scioto Mile is a string of parks on both sides of the Scioto River, with a huge interactive fountain and trails. On the west bank, the COSI science center offers hands-on exhibits and a planetarium. Downtown, the Columbus Museum of Art includes American and European paintings and a sculpture garden. The German Village area has restored brick houses built by 1800s settlers – wikipedia.