USC freshman water polo player Jon Walters died Wednesday of a heart attack, according to the Orange County Register. Walters, 19, helped lead USC to a national title last month and scored 17 goals.
“Jon was a great Trojan, and an outstanding young man from a wonderful family,” USC coach Jovan Vavic said in a statement. “He and his family were loved by all of us on the USC water polo team. I am deeply saddened, and I speak for our team in saying that this is a terrible loss of a friend and teammate. Our prayers go out to Jon’s family in hopes that they find comfort.”
Prayer for the family… Life is so fragile.
I am very sorry to hear of this tragedy. I offer my sincere condolences to Jon Walters’ family. It is unfortunate that sometimes the good die young.
Very Sad… My Condolences go our to Jon Walters Family.
19 and he has a heart attack?– I guess it does happen, rarely, but what bad luck
He had fallen into a coma on Jan 1 and got worse from there. Like with UCLAs #36, I fear this was a preventable passing. In any event, condolences to friends, family and Trojan fans.
What are alluding to? A incident where the deceased engaged in excessive consumption of alcohol followed by a mad dash into car traffic to another who suffered a massive heart attack that immobilized him on new Year’s Day – there is no connection – your post is an awful comparison.
you, unfortunately, don’t have all the facts. The heart attack followed the coma, not the other way around. Just like with Nick, facts will soon out and you’ll see how similar the two deaths are.
BTW, way to stomp on a kid’s grave.
An awful lot of speculation and it truly misses the point. You are stomping on THIS kid’s grave. In the end, what does it matter? This is a 19 year old kid. Both losses are tragic losses for their families. Show some compassion.
Doesn’t miss the point. I said it’s an unfortunate loss, PARTICULARLY since it appears to have been avoidable. Just like in Nick’s case, an avoidable death is no less tragic.
Comparing the two is simply missing the point. Two young men died well before they should for whatever reasons. Two families are suffering unfathomable losses. I have a 20 year old daughter away at college and the thought of losing a child is a paralyzing one. Whether a death was “preventable” or the result of a stupid decision does not ease the pain of a family that has lost a cherished son or daughter way too soon. As a parent, I identify with the families and they have my condolences.
One of the OC sources claimed he had pneumonia and kidney failure as well.
There are many facts that are unknown to the public that will likely come out. If it was a simple heart attack or pneumonia or kidney failure, the doctor would have signed the death certificate. He declined to do so. Plus, the OC source says he was brought to the hospital unresponsive on Jan. 1 – hmmmmmm.
Awful news, condolences to Jon’s family and friends.
I’m sorry to hear that. Also nice to see all the civil comments.
How awful. It must be terribly heart breaking to his family. The last thing a 19 year old athlete thinks about is mortality. Hopefully, he went peacefully.
Damn. I’m sorry to hear that. Condolences from the sons of Westwood.
Wow, so young! My condolences to Jon’s family and friends.
God bless his family, and may they find solace in his memory.