Independence High School Mourns Passing of Quarterback
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Independence High School football team is mourning the loss of their starting quarterback. Davyne Simpson, known as, “Flash,” died Sunday.
“Oh gosh. It’s just heartbreaking,” says Mint Hill resident Seret Dinkler. She stopped by the school to leave flowers Monday night, by a rock painted for number 9.
βIt’s such a loss for the school and our community,” Dinkler says.
Family hasn’t said what happened to the teen, who was found unconscious August 11th and had been placed in a medically-induced coma.
βItβs been the roughest week ever, it never left my mind, ever, once,” says Tina Gibson, whose son Ronald played Little League football with Simpson.
βItβs just weird, it doesnβt feel the same to know that one of my childhood friends is gone, you know,” Ronald Gibson says.
Both say Simpson was a fun-loving kid who always had a smile on his face.
βI just expected a different outcome. I was praying for a different outcome,” Tina Gibson says.
On social media, friends and people in the community have been using #PrayForFlash. Providence High School painted a number 9 on their field.
A coach at Hopewell High tweeted, “We may be opponents in week 2, but we want #BigIFootball to know that Flash is on our minds…”
Dinkler and others are praying for Simpson’s family and teammates.
βNobody should ever have to bury their child. Um, you know, so I just wanted the family to know theyβre very loved here,” Dinkler says.
“Rep his number hard. When youβre going up and down that field, get your yards, get your stats for Flash, for real. For real, for real,” Ronald Gibson says.
