Legendary, Record-Breaking Louisville Cardinals Player’s Early Death Shrouded in Mystery

A record holder for the Louisville Cardinals has suddenly passed away at 31-years-old, as announced by the university in a release Wednesday.

The former Louisville Cardinal solidified himself as a legend for his efforts in one of the biggest games in the history of the program nearly a decade ago.

Former Louisville Cardinals K John Wallace suddenly passed away and the cause of death is unknown

The University of Louisville announced the passing of John Wallace via social media Wednesday. Neither the release from the university nor the obituary explains why Wallace passed away.

We are saddened by the passing of Cardinal Forever John Wallace.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/Qr7zfc8HSK

— Louisville Football (@LouisvilleFB) May 15, 2024

Wallace was a former Division I athlete who was just 31-years-old at the time of his passing, which makes his untimely death extremely puzzling.

Louisville Cardinals K John Wallace was instrumental in one of the best seasons in the program’s history

Wallace’s claim to fame as a kicker for the Cardinals was the two field goals he made in one of the best wins in the history of the program. Louisville, who was not a Power-Five team, met a top-five-ranked Florida Gators team in the 2013 Sugar Bowl and no one expected them to win.

Wallace’s two field goals helped the Cardinals to a 33-23 win over the Gators in New Orleans. The 12-1 season was tied with the 2006 season for the best record in the history of the program.

Wallace holds the record for most career field goals for the Louisville Cardinals with 66 made field goals from 2012-2015. He is second in scoring in Louisville history with 384 points.

Another memorable moment in Wallace’s career came when he hit a game-winning 30-yard field goal in overtime to beat the Cincinnati Bearcats during his freshman season.

#CardinalForever ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ovSgHSj2ZB

— Luke Geraghty (@LukeGera14) May 15, 2024

Support for former Louisville Cardinals K John Wallace flooded social media

A great deal of Cardinals fans took to social media to share their support for Wallace and discuss what he meant to them and the Louisville program.

While bad kickers who miss kicks at the wrong time can become some of the most ostracized players in sports, clutch kickers like Wallace end up being some of the most beloved.

Very saddened to hear about the passing of John Wallace. Wallace was instrumental in helping Louisville win several games during the Charlie Strong era (including the 2013 Sugar Bowl win against Florida). Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. https://t.co/ux42iUVASC

— Samuel Carlton (@CFBRage) May 15, 2024

The UofL Men’s Basketball recruiting news in recent days has been terrific & uplifting

With that said, I want to send my condolences to the family & friends of former UofL Football kicker John Wallace who recently passed

I never met John in person, but always appreciated his… pic.twitter.com/NFrBS2a5AU

— ᴋᴇᴠɪɴ ᴡʀɪɢʜᴛ (@KLW0408) May 15, 2024

John Wallace was a model student-athlete at UofL for four seasons from 2012 to 2015 and was one of the most successful kickers in program history.

He holds the school record for most field goals made in a career with 66 and ranks second in career scoring with 384 points.… https://t.co/pjJRurNFsf

— Kelly Dickey (@RealCardGame) May 15, 2024

Prayers for his family! Wild gone to young! Was a great human being!

— Sherrone Moore (@Coach_SMoore) May 15, 2024

His family lived on Curran when I was g rowing up. So sad. Too young.

— Ellen P (@empville27) May 15, 2024

The family whom Wallace is survived by was listed in his obituary on Legacy.com

Survivors include his loving wife Rachel (Breit) Wallace; daughter, Macie Wallace; his soon-to-be-born son, Caleb Wallace; his parents, Carla Wallace and Patrick Wallace; a brother, Justin Wallace (Whitney); his in-laws, Ava Breit and A.J. Breit and parents-in-law, Marc and Lisa Breit; an aunt and uncle, Rusty and Elaine Wallace; an aunt, Clarissa Ford Smith; his grandmother, Jane Ford; and many close friends who meant the world to him including his Man’s Challenge group at SECC.

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