Former Wheaton College football player Jalen Shafer has been pronounced dead after drowning in Lake Michigan. He was 26 years old.
On Saturday, June 13, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting two people struggling in the water at Pigeon Lake outside of Grand Haven, Michigan.
First responders pulled them from the water and administered life-saving measures, but both men survived. The other victim was identified as a 24-year-old man from Illinois, but his name has not been released.
Jalen’s father, Joel, said his son was “trying to save his football brothers who played together for four years at Wheaton.”
Joel wrote via Facebook on Sunday, June 14, “Thank you so much for the prayers from everyone who has been a part of his life and our lives over the years.”
At the time of his death, Jalen was working at Bridge Street Ministries, where he “mentored and trained inner-city middle school students and had a lasting impact on the lives of all who became his students and friends,” his father said.
“He was truly one of the most godly people I’ve ever known in my life,” Joel said. “I saw him model the fruit of the Spirit every day and was especially proud when I saw him pouring his life into the next generation of underprivileged but high-potential youth in our city. Please pray for us, but please also pray for the students of Bridge Street Ministries. They loved him deeply.”
Jalen’s former coaches and leaders at North Point Christian High School in Grand Rapids also paid tribute to the late player following news of his death.
“As a coach, when you have to get a job done and you have to rely on someone, Jalen is the person you rely on,” former North Point football coach Tim Sworre told WOOD TV. “I think the number one thing people say when you ask them about Jalen Schaefer is that he’s totally unselfish, he’s humble, and he’s a very talented guy.”
“He just always sets a good example for his classmates, his teammates, the kids that follow in his footsteps,” added North Point Principal Tom Mollenkamp.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Jaylen’s parents “cover the funeral and many other related expenses.”
“The Shafers’ primary concern during this time is finances,” the page reads. “Please cover these costs first in prayer, and if possible, please donate financially to help alleviate these costs.”
The GoFundMe had raised more than $27,000 as of this article’s publication.
