Robinson’s towering presence was larger than life (VIDEO)

***UPDATED 1:00PM EST****

Flames coaches, players & community remember player who passed away this past weekend.

He was a towering presence on the field, but Jadon Robinson was also a kind, gentle person.

That is how the 6’4, 325 pound lineman from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is being remembered by coaches, players and the community.

On Saturday, Robinson’s car went off the road in Yarmouth as he was on his way home. The vehicle landed into a pond and he had two passengers with him in the car.

Robinson was taken to hospital where he passed away at midnight. The other two passengers were released from hospital having only suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The sudden and tragic loss of Robinson has touched and impacted many who knew him as well as the local community.

At the time of his passing, Robinson was a two-way lineman for the Sir John A MacDonald Flames of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

Additionally, Robinson participated in the 2015 Football Canada Cup in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec as a member of Team Nova Scotia’s under-18 squad.

Flames Head Coach Paul Moore said Robinson’s gridiron career was on the rise and it was only just the beginning of great things for the standout in the sport.

“Over the past three years, Jadon has made huge strides in becoming a talented football player,” commented Moore.  “With his 6′ 4 325 pound frame and his superior athleticism he was becoming a top prospect.”

“He showed a high level of confidence and dominated at both offensive line and defensive tackle at the high school level.”

 

Aside from being a tremendously gifted player, he was a huge heart and was a pleasure to be around.

“Jadon was a one of a kind person,” elaborated Moore.  “His big smile and personality lit up a room every time he walked in.”

“I will always remember Jadon for his tall tales, and how he made me laugh every time I saw him.  His character and love of life was a pleasure to watch. He lived life to the absolute fullest. I am blessed just to have met and coached this young man.”

Moore added that the Flames are shocked by the fact that one of their own is gone too soon.

“The Sir John A family and the Nova Scotia football community are truly saddened from his sudden passing,” expressed Moore.  “Forever a Flame.”

“Rip Jadon #65. We love you.”

Former Flames Head Coach Steve Majury had the privilege of instructing Robinson. Echoing the sentiments of Moore, he commented that the lineman was truly a remarkable person on and off the field.  While his thoughts were with the Flames, Majury could not put into words how much Robinson will be sorely missed.

“We are absolutely gutted with our loss of Jadon Robinson,” commented Majury.  “Our thoughts are with Jadon’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

“We lost a special young man from our SJA Flames football family who was gifted in so many ways. Very few people have the ability to make others laugh and smile as frequently as Jadon.  He was polite, kind and extremely outgoing.  The sadness felt with Jadon’s sudden passing is overwhelming for everyone who was a part of Jadon’s life.  We will miss his him more than words can describe.”

Flames Offensive Line Coach Dan Campbell worked quite extensively with Robinson.  Campbell said that the lineman’s personality and character were infectious.  Robinson’s presence was larger than life and Campbell recalled the intangibles that the lineman possessed and how those made him unique.

“I’m shocked and heartbroken at the passing of a young man I truly cared about and loved,” expressed Campbell.  “Jadon Robinson was one of the greatest kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with in all my years of coaching.”

“He was a special kid to me. He lit up a room when he walked in, and he wore his emotions on his sleeve. To his family there is no way I can say how sorry I am for you. More than just a kid I coached he was my friend, and I loved him. I am truly going to miss him.”

As for the Flames’ players, they jointly issued a statement on the passing of one of their fallen teammates and comrades:

“Jadon’s personality is something else, something that we all have never had on our team and something irreplaceable.”

“He is always cracking jokes on the field no matter what the situation, he was always making sure we all put it as much work as we can and while he was pushing us on the field he was always pushing himself to get better also.”

“We all agree that we have never met a guy who can get in a fight with a friend, coach or teacher and then have that person laughing the next minute.”

“As a player Jadon was one of our best o-lineman; he always made sure he had his assignments down and he completed his assignments on the field which was what made him such an asset to the team.”

“After a loss, we could always count on Jadon to cheer us up no matter how he was feeling himself he always made an effort to get us to smile.”

“We all loved Jadon and we will all miss him very much, as a person on and off the field he was great.”

Flames team photographer Mark Kays captured many wonderful moments of Robinson on and off the field through his camera lens.  He said that while Robinson’s presence was daunting due to his size, he ultimately had a heart of gold.

“Jadon was such a likeable young man,” reflected Kays.  “He was a very large guy but was such a calm funny person instead of using it to be the nastiest lineman on the field.”

“He used his size to get the job done without over doing it on the smaller player. A gentle giant, he would smirk and laugh whenever I would engage him coming off the field. I will miss him a bunch, he always made it fun but I am sure his opponents were scared to line up against him in fear of getting trampled down. RIP Jadon.”

 

Current Gee-Gees receiver Thomas Hoyt had the honour of playing alongside Robinson until he graduated last spring.  Hoyt recalled that his presence was undeniable, yet refreshing

“Jadon is one of the biggest people you’ll ever meet, physically, mentally and personality wise,” said Hoyt.  “If he was in the room, you knew he was there, if he was on the field, you knew he was there.”

“He was a big kid with a bigger heart.”

 

Furthermore, Hoyt reflected that many times Robinson was a motivator who inspired his teammates to play at their best.

“He pushed himself past his limits on and off the field,” added the Gee-Gees receiver.  “I can remember so clearly yelling at him to keep pushing harder as he struggled to finish his last rep up the John A field’s hill after leaving whatever he had eaten before practice at the bottom.”

“He was a great kid who loved the game and was loved by others for that reason along with many others. He had great athletic potential as well as great potential as a human being with a future.”

Like many other, Hoyt is shocked of his former teammates’ passing but said that his memory will live on.

“He is being missed by many and will be missed for a very long time,” expressed Hoyt.  “He’s left a mark on everyone he’s met as well the Flames Football program itself.”

“He definitely will not be forgotten.”

As the Flames are about to begin preparing for their NSSAFFL postseason run, their thoughts will be with Robinson.  Hoyt is confident that the team will stick together and be motivated by this inexplicable loss in their quest to achieve one ultimate, yet unified goal on the field.

“The team definitely is hit hard with his loss but they will come together for him,” commented Hoyt.  “Family fights for each other.”

“They will rally together and play for him. They will play for our lost brother. There is only one goal for them now: to win for their fallen teammate.”

The NSSAF issued out a statement this afternoon exclusively to CanadaFootbcallChat.com regarding Robinson’s passing and what the league’s plans are to honour Robinson during the playoff games scheduled this weekend.

“The thoughts and prayers of the NSSAF are with the family  and the Sir John A. Macdonald High School community at this very difficult time,” commented the governing body’s Executive Director Darrell Dempster.  “The NSSAF will support the family and school.”

“Decisions in regard to honouring Jadon will be made following consultation with the family and school.”

Funeral arrangements were not known at press time. CanadaFootballChat.com will have more information as it becomes available.

All Photo Credits courtesy of Mark Kays

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