that there are some serious injuries. Have to stay alert at all times when that close to the field.
I missed this story and surprised it doesn't happen more often
- Thread starter PrestonyteParrot
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Palm Beach Daily News
Mon, September 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM EDT
3 min read
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A Florida Highway Patrol trooper died of complications from a broken leg he suffered on the sideline of a Florida Atlantic University football game on Sept. 6 in Boca Raton.
Trooper Craig Gaines died Sept. 19 while off duty at his Tallahassee-area residence, the Fraternal Order of Police Florida State Lodge reported on its Facebook account.
According to the post, Gaines was on the sideline providing security for Florida A&M University football coach James Colzie III during the Rattlers' game at FAU when he was unintentionally run into by a player at the conclusion of a play.
Gaines initially "shook off" the hit but a medical evaluation determined he had a broken leg, the Facebook post said.
The Florida State Lodge reported that Gaines was at his northern Florida home when he began to feel ill and called FHP dispatch for assistance. His condition rapidly deteriorated and first responders attempted life-saving measures. Gaines died of medical complications from his leg injury, the report said.
“Florida Atlantic University Athletics is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Gaines," a spokesperson for FAU's athletic department said in a prepared statement.
"We extend our condolences to the Gaines family, Florida A&M University, FHP, and to all those that knew and loved him.”
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Gaines died on Sept. 19 of complication from a broken leg he suffered during a football game at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
A video of the sideline hit during the Sept. 6 Florida A&M-Florida Atlantic football game that broke a Florida Highway Patrolman's leg and led to his death almost two weeks later shows it was accidental.
The injury came on the first play of the third quarter after FAMU had kicked off to start the second half and FAU took over on its own 25-yard-line.
The video of the game, which was streamed on ESPN-Plus, shows FAU wide receiver Jayshon Platt taking an end-around handoff and running for 16 yards when he is pushed out of bounds on the FAMU sideline at the FAU 41-yard-line.
Platt, a junior from Sarasota, tried to ease up once he was out of bounds, and a FAMU defender who had been chasing him accidentally runs into Gaines, according to the video. At the time, Gaines' injuries did not seem to be serious.
An online obituary indicates that Gaines, 58, was married for 28 years and had three children.
FHP reported that Gaines began his career with the agency in 2008 as part of the 115th Recruit Class, following service with the Havana Police Department and the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office in northern Florida. Before entering law enforcement, he served in the U.S. Navy.
He was assigned to the FHP Troop H's Quincy district, about 25 miles northwest of Tallahassee. During the college football season, he provided lead security for FAMU's head football coaches, often traveling with the team for away games.
In the wake of Gaines' death, several tributes and words of condolence have been posted online, including from Colzie and former FAMU football coach Willie Simmons, now the head football coach at Florida International University in Miami.
Palm Beach Daily News
FHP trooper dies from complications of broken leg after sidelines hit during FAU game
Julius Whigham II, Palm Beach PostMon, September 29, 2025 at 10:50 AM EDT
3 min read
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A Florida Highway Patrol trooper died of complications from a broken leg he suffered on the sideline of a Florida Atlantic University football game on Sept. 6 in Boca Raton.
Trooper Craig Gaines died Sept. 19 while off duty at his Tallahassee-area residence, the Fraternal Order of Police Florida State Lodge reported on its Facebook account.
According to the post, Gaines was on the sideline providing security for Florida A&M University football coach James Colzie III during the Rattlers' game at FAU when he was unintentionally run into by a player at the conclusion of a play.
Gaines initially "shook off" the hit but a medical evaluation determined he had a broken leg, the Facebook post said.
The Florida State Lodge reported that Gaines was at his northern Florida home when he began to feel ill and called FHP dispatch for assistance. His condition rapidly deteriorated and first responders attempted life-saving measures. Gaines died of medical complications from his leg injury, the report said.
“Florida Atlantic University Athletics is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Gaines," a spokesperson for FAU's athletic department said in a prepared statement.
"We extend our condolences to the Gaines family, Florida A&M University, FHP, and to all those that knew and loved him.”
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Gaines died on Sept. 19 of complication from a broken leg he suffered during a football game at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
A video of the sideline hit during the Sept. 6 Florida A&M-Florida Atlantic football game that broke a Florida Highway Patrolman's leg and led to his death almost two weeks later shows it was accidental.
The injury came on the first play of the third quarter after FAMU had kicked off to start the second half and FAU took over on its own 25-yard-line.
The video of the game, which was streamed on ESPN-Plus, shows FAU wide receiver Jayshon Platt taking an end-around handoff and running for 16 yards when he is pushed out of bounds on the FAMU sideline at the FAU 41-yard-line.
Platt, a junior from Sarasota, tried to ease up once he was out of bounds, and a FAMU defender who had been chasing him accidentally runs into Gaines, according to the video. At the time, Gaines' injuries did not seem to be serious.
An online obituary indicates that Gaines, 58, was married for 28 years and had three children.
FHP reported that Gaines began his career with the agency in 2008 as part of the 115th Recruit Class, following service with the Havana Police Department and the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office in northern Florida. Before entering law enforcement, he served in the U.S. Navy.
He was assigned to the FHP Troop H's Quincy district, about 25 miles northwest of Tallahassee. During the college football season, he provided lead security for FAMU's head football coaches, often traveling with the team for away games.
In the wake of Gaines' death, several tributes and words of condolence have been posted online, including from Colzie and former FAMU football coach Willie Simmons, now the head football coach at Florida International University in Miami.
