West Virginia State Yellow Jackets linebacker and college football (CFB) standout Jyilek Zyiare Harrington was fatally shot Wednesday.
Police said in a statement Thursday that the incident is being investigated as a home invasion. Harrington was a 21-year-old senior linebacker for the Yellow Jackets. Charleston police Lt. Tony Hazlett said there were multiple gunshot wounds suffered by Harrington after a disturbance in the hallway.
CFB player Jyilek Harrington led his defense and team to a win before being fatally shot
Central Cleveland Football
In the first week of the season, Harrington was able to lead West Virginia State to a 27-24 victory over the Barton College Bulldogs.
Harrington stood out in the win as the only player on his team to record a sack. Harrington’s eight tackles were just one off of the team leader. The senior linebacker was one of the top players on the Yellow Jackets defense.
According to West Virginia State vice president of intercollegiate athletics Nate Burton in an article from ESPN, Harrington was more than just a good football player.
“Jyilek truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community,” West Virginia State vice president of intercollegiate athletics Nate Burton said. “Jyilek was a young man that, during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families.”
The upcoming game between the Carson-Newman Eagles and West Virginia State was postponed until Friday at noon as a result of the tragic death of Harrington.
People from all around the college football world took to social media to voice their condolences for Harrington and his family.
Our thoughts are with the West Virginia State family following the passing of student-athlete Jyilek Harrington.
Sending our deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates. https://t.co/ZrPneqelIG
— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) September 12, 2024
Our heartfelt sympathies are with the WVSU community, as well as the family and friends of Jyilek Harrington. https://t.co/RvOjG66ixv
— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) September 12, 2024
“On behalf of the entire Mountain East Conference, we are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of West Virginia State University student-athlete Jyilek Harrington. We join WVSU President Ericke Cage and Vice President of Athletics Nate Burton in offering our deepest… https://t.co/Y5iUOR7H4U
— Mountain East Conf. (@TheMountainEast) September 12, 2024
Tragic occurrence. RIP to the young man and condolences to his family and the program at @WVStateUhttps://t.co/5x4I0gu5ZU
— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) September 12, 2024
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