A football game at Eastern Michigan on Saturday afternoon has a somber overtone. The Eagles play Ohio University a day after a teammate was shot multiple times in an apparent robbery

Demarius Reed, a 20-year-old junior from Chicago, was found by his roommate in a hallway at their off-campus apartment complex in Ypsilanti.



The tribute above was tweeted by EMU’s running backs coach, a former UM football star.

"Definitely a different atmosphere," EMU sports management student Jill Romick tweets Saturday morning, referring to the game. "This one's for you #2."

Heather Lyke, intercollegiate athletics director, comments on the university's loss:

Detroit News: “Demarius was an influential leader who thrived in the classroom and on the field. Everyone gravitated to him and often described him as the ‘life of the locker room.’ Our hearts go out to Demarius’ family. We are doing all we can to help and support them, along with the rest of our student-athletes.”

Grief counselors have been meeting with football team members, students, faculty and staff, according to the article by Serena Maria Daniels and Dave Goricki.

EMU president Susan Martin also expresses condolences, The News adds:

“We are all deeply saddened. . . . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and his teammates on the football team."

Friday afternoon article:

Shocking news comes from Ypsilanti, where homicide detectives are investigating the shooting death of starting football player Demarius Reed, a junior from Chicago.



Demarius Reed (right), a wide receiver from Chicago, had started in all six games this season for EMU.

Eastern Michigan University confirms that the wide receiver was a homicide victim, NBC Sports and other media report.

Reed’s body was found in the hallway of an off-campus apartment building at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Ypsilanti police said. No details of what led to Reed’s alleged murder have been released, and no suspects are in custody. Police ask the public for help in the investigation.

Reed, a 20-year-old who started all six games this season, had 15 receptions for 189 yards.



Demarius Reed described himself as "blessed and humbled."

The varsity player's roommate found his body in a hallway at the University Green apartments, police Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts told reporters.

The late player's Twitter feed shows religious devotion. His profile description says: "Truly Blessed n Humbled Individual Strivin for Greatness" and his final tweet on Tuesday this week is haunting:

Blessed ta see another 24 [hours] please help me to make good decisions my lord

EMU is scheduled to host Ohio University's Bobcats on Saturday afternoon at Rynearson Stadium.