Sports

Loved Ones Remember Bobby LaRosa

Share photos and memories of former Avon High student and football star

Friends are remembering former football star as they gather to honor his memory.

Calling hours are Thursday afternoon and evening for LaRosa, who died August 15 at age 22. The hours are 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at , 36363 Detroit Road. Closing prayers will be at 9:15 a.m. Friday, followed by a funeral Mass at , 33601 Detroit Road.

Friends and family are invited to share photos and memories of LaRosa here.

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Powell Caeser, spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office, said LaRosa's death was being listed as accidental pending further toxicology tests. Those tests, he said, could take 4 to 12 weeks.

Lee Powell, who coached both LaRosa and his brother Tommy at Avon High, said his heart was breaking for LaRosa's family and friends.

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"It's tragic," he said Thursday morning.

LaRosa, he said, had the "whole package" as a football player.

"He was strong, he was fast, he could catch and he could run," Powell said. "He was a heck of a football player."

On sites devoted to college football scouting and recruiting, LaRosa was listed as a 6'0", 217-pound running back, safety and outside linebacker.

Powell provided LaRosa's career statistics at Avon. LaRosa ran for a school-record 3,860 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He scored 44 rushing touchdowns, one receiving touchdown, two touchdowns on kick returns and two touchdowns on defense.

LaRosa reportedly got interest from schools such as Penn State, Pitt, Ohio State and Purdue. He got a scholarship offer from Wright State University, Powell said. He was a student at Cuyahoga Community College before he died.

Teammates nicknamed LaRosa "Boobie," after the character in the football movie Friday Night Lights, Powell said.

Kristina Dobos Buller, principal at Avon High, knew LaRosa from her days as assistant principal.

"He had a larger-than-life personality," she said. "But he was well-mannered. And such a talented athlete."

Powell had some advice for grieving friends.

"Keep him in your heart," he said. "Remember the good times you had with him."


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