19-Year-Old Aspiring College Football Star Tragically Dies Following Conditioning Drills

Being an athlete isn’t a bed of roses. You have to work hard, train consistently, and persevere through every hardship that comes your way. Injuries are part and parcel of your everyday life, but you must rise above, recover, and conquer your demons day after day. Such was the attitude of Justin McAllister, who wore #68 on the Sacramento City College football team. Sadly, the freshman offensive tackle passed away on Monday evening from heart failure after a workout.

To commemorate his memory, athletes and coaches from Sacramento City College gathered at the north end of Hughes Stadium on the day of his untimely demise. They shared stories, exchanged hugs, and said goodbye to their teammate, who met his maker at Sutter Medical Center.

Sac City meets to honor McAllister

Justin McAllister was a beloved big man with the personality to match it. The 6-foot-7, 270-pounder had passed his physical, a basic requirement to play sports at any level, without any trouble. He seemingly had no health issues, and he was not pushed beyond normal. However, on Monday, he went down in the locker room and was unable to be revived.

The 19-year-old was then rushed to the hospital in an ambulance as his teammates looked on in disbelief. “We didn’t know what was going on, but we knew it was bad,” said team leader Sean Nixon, adding, “It’s a scary reminder of how precious life is.” Everyone spoke to honor McAllister’s memory, and the applause after each speech echoed across the stadium.

Sac City head coach Dannie Walker said he organized the meet because the team and the players need each other. He added, “Justin was a great young man, a big heart. His mother, Mary, kept telling us how he was a gentle giant at the hospital.” The team also held a candlelight vigil just before midnight. McAllister’s autopsy has yet to take place.

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Who the budding football star really was

McAllister was a reserve lineman who started the season at home against American River College. He had also only recently moved from Monmouth to Sacramento to be closer to his family. His twin brother, Jack, made the three-hour trip to see him at the hospital. His younger brother, Gavin, is a quarterback star for Rapp at Delta.

People knew Justin as more than just a star athlete. To some, he was first a person—a brother, a son, a teammate. The Sac City College team said they would dedicate the rest of the season to the memory of McAllister. While practice goes on, the rest of the season is bound to be difficult. The Panthers host Chabot College at 1 p.m. this Saturday.