Gut-wrenching news in the sports world.
News broke yesterday afternoon that Tennessee Titans CB Caleb Farley lost his father when a suspected gas leak caused the player’s North Carolina home to explode.
After the explosion, 61-year old Robert M. Farley was found dead among the debris, and it was reported that another person was left injured.
Kent Greene of Iredell County Fire Services and Emergency Management noted the other individual was family friend Christian Rogers, who was found exiting the debris. He was taken to a nearby hospital with a concussion, but he is alert, awake, and is being examined for further injury.
ESPN reported Greene commented on the scene of the accident, noting:
“There could not be anyone in it left alive — that was my first thought. And when I found out someone did walk out of it, I was amazed.
This was a 6,300-square-foot home, and there’s nothing left but maybe a part of the garage.”
Caleb Farley, who was not at home at the time of the explosion, shared with the news how much his father meant to him.
“My father was a stand-up guy. He raised me to be a stand-up guy.”
After news broke, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel gathered with players, informing them of the accident and sharing words of encouragement on how to be there for their teammate.
“What’s most important is that we do everything we can to support him emotionally. It’s shocking.
We’ve got to focus on Caleb and his family and how we can support him.”
Farley’s teammates also commented to the press about how heartbroken they were for their friend and teammate.
Said running back Derrick Henry:
“We were the last ones in the locker room last night just hanging around. I’m praying for his family. It’s a tragic situation. I couldn’t describe the way he probably feels right now.”
Titans safety Kevin Byard also commented:
“I know he lost his mother at a young age as well. He’s dealt with a lot of adversity. It’s very tragic. It’s an unimaginable tragedy.”
Farley was the first high-profile football player to opt out of the 2020 season while playing at Virginia Tech due to the pandemic. In 2018, his mother passed from cancer, and Farley was cautious of putting loved ones at risk during the pandemic…a risk he was unwilling to take.
After his time at Virginia Tech, he was drafted as the overall number 22 pick in the 2021 draft and is currently on the injured reserve due to a back issue.
When Farley’s father was discovered, there was also debris of a yard flag that read, “Virginia Tech Dad.” A proud father.
Our thoughts are with Caleb Farley and his family at this time.
