Jaguars grieving over loss of paralyzed football player, planning to honor family at game

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars are making plans to honor a paralyzed football player who died Wednesday, three weeks after his last visit to the facility and just before beginning an internship with the team.

J.T. Townsend, paralyzed from the neck down during a high school game in 2004, spent countless hours getting to know Jaguars players over the years.

Jaguars coach Gus Bradley says, "We lost a friend today."

Townsend attended practice May 15, visiting with Bradley and players, and then ate lunch with the team. The Jaguars had agreed to hire the 26-year-old as an intern, giving him a chance to work as a graphic designer and help create game-day programs.

Now, the team will recognize Townsend's family at a game and could do more in the next few weeks.