Ryan Keeler, who played defensive line for the University of Las Vegas, died on Monday. On Instagram, the university said –
“UNLV mourns the death of football student-athlete Ryan Keeler.”
A reason for death has not been given yet. The Las Vegas Review-Journal was the first to say that he had died. After transferring from Rutgers before last season, Keeler was a sophomore at the university.
Keeler is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 275 pounds. He played in two games for the Rebels, making a total of eight tackles and one sack.
There have been several other high-profile deaths recently, and you can learn more about them here:
- Richard Belzer Extraordinary Comedian and TV Police Dead at 78.
- Andrew Freedman Veteran News and Entertainment Publicist Died at Age 67.
On Monday night, current and former UNLV players, like running back Aidan Robbins, used social media to express their sadness to Keeler’s family.
He wrote on his Instagram story –
“Long Live 47.”
Robbins added a second one, which said –
“God rest your beautiful soul… love you 4L [for life] boy.”
Marcus Arroyo was the head coach of the Rebels until last season when he was fired after going 5-7. In his three seasons there, he went 7-23.
Numerous individuals on Twitter shared their thoughts and feelings over Ryan Keeler’s passing –
Long Live Ryan Keeler gone way too soon I’m lost for words right now love you forever brother 🖤🕊️ #LLRK47 pic.twitter.com/LMsdfF8RW6
— Adam Plant Jr. (@Apjthe1) February 21, 2023
Former UNLV LB @Aji_510 opens up to me about Ryan Keeler ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0Z4Du8qiUj
— Paloma Villicana FOX5 (@PalomaVillicana) February 21, 2023
Ryan Keeler UNLV DL and former Rutgers DL has passed away! Very sad! Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved!🙏🙏🙏 @RUAthletics @RFootball @unlvfootball #rutgers #ryankeeler #UNLVFB pic.twitter.com/0mY0A9UfFl
— Travis Holonics (@HolonicsTravis) February 21, 2023
Per #UNLVfb sources, Rebels DL Ryan Keeler passed away.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Ryan’s family, friends, loved ones, teammates and coaches.
— Joe Arrigo (@joearrigofsm) February 21, 2023
During the season, he talked up Keeler’s ability to do many different things on the field. Arroyo said, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal –
“We’re getting a chance to see some guys.”
“It’s not what you’d like to do, obviously, in a situation where you have all your guys rolling, but it was good to see Ryan get in there and mix it up.”
Keeler went to Chicago’s Nazareth Academy for his high school years.