Tragedy struck over the weekend with the death of 27-year-old Tommy Lazzaro, a former Central Michigan University quarterback and U.S. Army sergeant. Lazzaro, who served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, was fatally wounded by a stray bullet at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He was reportedly driving to assist a fellow soldier experiencing car trouble when the incident occurred on Sunday.
The shot originated from a hunter on the base's shooting range. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has classified the event as a "tragic hunting accident." Col. Patrick Nelson, 7th SFG(A) commander, expressed profound sorrow, stating, "We deeply mourn the loss of U.S. Army Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro...We will never forget his dedication, courage, and commitment." Central Michigan University also issued a statement, remembering Lazzaro's leadership and contributions to the football program.
Former head coach Jim McElwain praised Lazzaro's impact on the team, stating, "When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader...CMU Football was blessed to have him and will always remember him." Lazzaro's collegiate football career spanned four years at Central Michigan, including five starts between 2016 and 2019. He notably led the Chippewas to a 6-2 conference record and a bowl game appearance in 2019. His career statistics include 542 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, alongside 758 passing yards and five touchdowns.
Graduating in 2019 with a degree in entrepreneurship, Lazzaro followed a family tradition by joining the Army, honoring the legacy of his father and grandfather.
