Cumberland football cancels game after players involved in crash that kills ex-player

Cumberland football has canceled Saturday's game at Reinhardt after a former player on the team was killed and three current players and another former player were injured in an auto accident after the Phoenix's home game last Saturday against Webber International.

Marcus Webb, 22, was the former player who died in the crash. He was from Munford, Tennessee, and a redshirt sophomore last year.

The current players were sophomores from Nashville including Brandon Pace Jr., Lamar Childress and Jeremiah Mathews. All three attended McGavock High School.

The other former player was Jamir Johnson from Perry, Georgia.

The accident occurred at 1 a.m. Sunday in Murfreesboro on East Clark Boulevard at North Tennessee Boulevard. Johnson was driving the vehicle, according to police on the scene.

Athletics director Ron Pavan released the following statement:

"It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we have notified all members of our cherished university, our students, faculty, and staff that five members of our campus community were involved in an extremely serious and fatal auto accident early Sunday morning in Rutherford County after our football game against Webber International.

"Unfortunately, the Cumberland University family has lost former student-athlete Marcus Webb to injuries sustained in the accident. Brandon Pace Jr. currently remains in critical condition while Jamir Johnson, Lamar Childress, and Jeremiah Matthews are all three in stable condition. Although grief can be, and often is at times like these, an all-consuming emotion, it is not one which we must carry alone.

"Football Head Coach, Tim Mathis shared his feelings with his team (Tuesday) afternoon, “As a team we are devastated. We are praying for healing and specifically that Brandon’s injuries are healed. We are also praying for the families involved and for each other.”

"We are all extremely saddened at this news. The entire athletic department is devastated and our campus community is hurting. Our hearts and prayers are with the families, teammates, friends and loved ones of these students."

Cumberland (2-0) defeated Webber 25-24.

Cumberland's next scheduled game is Sept. 17 at Pikeville,

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cumberland football cancels game after players involved in fatal crash