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Colorado State Football Player Clay Brownell Killed In Car Accident

Colorado State walk-on linebacker Clay Brownell was killed earlier this week in a single-car accident.

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FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 15: The sun sets as the Boise State Broncos face the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 15, 2011 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 15: The sun sets as the Boise State Broncos face the Colorado State Rams at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 15, 2011 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Dealing with tragedy is not what college football head coaches sign up for, but it is, unfortunately, often part of the job. New Colorado State Rams head coach Jim McElwain is now having to deal with tragedy in Fort Collins with the news that walk-on linebacker Clay Brownell died this past Tuesday morning in a car accident in his hometown of Casper, Wyo.

Brownell was driving by himself just after midnight on Tuesday morning when his car crashed into a boulder and tree, throwing him from the car and ultimately killing him. According to police, there was evidence at the scene of possible drug and/or alcohol use that may have contributed to the crash.

Brownell participated in spring practices with the Rams, and though McElwain was not available comment, the school did issue the following statement:

''Our thoughts and prayers go out to Clay's family,'' the statement read. ''He was a well-liked and well-respected member of the CSU football family. Clay joined the team mid-year and had already developed close bonds with his coaches and teammates. He will be missed.''

(via The Coloradoan)

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