Funeral Held For Former UM Football Player
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A former University of Miami football player, killed when he crashed his car into the back of a tractor-trailer on the Macarthur Causeway last month was laid to rest on Saturday.
Loved ones filled the pews at Glendale Baptist Church in Southwest Miami to say goodbye to Jojo Nicolas who would have turned 25-years old this past Monday.
His brother and father stood together to honor the life of a man who impacted so many others, both on the field and off.
"Jojo was a great captain, better teammate, better friend, better brother. We are all remorseful for his loss and everybody involved," said former teammate Brandon McGhee.
Nicolas died from injuries he sustained in a violent crash last month when he slammed into the back of an 18-wheeler on the Macarthur Causeway. He had just left Miami Beach.
Police said they are not sure what caused Nicolas' Lexus sedan to rear-end the truck.
His sudden death sparked an outpour of love from the community, which the family said has brought them comfort.
"He influenced so many of us. You know we lost a brother but we gained so many other family members. Our family just became huge with the loss of our brother," said Nicholas' brother Abner Davis.
Nicolas graduated from Homestead High and played football at UM from 2007 to 2011. His older brother is confident that Nicolas' legacy will not be forgotten.
"Even in his death, he's still impacted lives and making positive influences on people," said Davis. "His voice is still being heard. He's still speaking to us all."