Combined the athletic accolades are too much to follow so I'll stick to basics. Each one of these guys i looked up to.
Guy 1: four year basketball starter, all-state, played D1 ball - drowned
Guy 2: 2x all state basketball, 2x all state soccer, 4.0 w/honors, could have played major d1 soccer, wanted to walk on for basketball, settled for academics and journalism, worked for ESPN - suicide
Guy 3: 4x all state soccer, 2x Parade All American, Gatorade Player of the year, child prodigy, U-16 through U-20 US national team member, professional soccer player for various clubs, 1x all state in tennis before quitting - drowned
Guy 3 was the most recent and a real dagger to the community. Word of his death sadly ripped the heart out of many as he was a speedy magician with the ball. He was our city's All-American prodigy growing up. We all thought he would be in the world cup one day. Clearly he had that ability. Guy 1 and Guy 2 were good athletes and in my same group of friends. Guy 2 was a college roommate for two years.
Guy 1 was too drunk, wandered the wrong way at bar time and fell into a freezing river. Guy 3 was swimming at 4:40am and likely passed out while under the influence. Guy 2, a diabetic, burnt his foot while putting out a fire in his early college years (drunk). Injury almost called for an amputation. Guy 2 became depressed in the hospital and was stuck on the idea no one cared for him even though that was far from the truth. Took his own life three years later stuck on those same thoughts.
Alcohol was a common denominator in each. Alcohol kills. How could three young men with so much potential and ability in life be gone at such young ages? Ages: 21, 25 and 30. These were standouts not just varsity letter winners.