Dear fellow members of the Rice community,

I am sad to share the news that Blain Padgett, a junior at Lovett College and a member of Owls Football team, passed away today at home in his apartment. Blain was from Sour Lake, Texas, and was a Sports Management major. As a defensive end for the Owls, he was Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2016 and 2017.

As a community, we grieve with his parents, Mical and Wyndi Padgett, and his two sisters, Kenedy and Kamryn. We know and feel how great their loss is. Lovett College is planning a memorial gathering for this Sunday evening.

In a letter he wrote to me recently, Blain said that “The proudest moment of my life was when I was given the opportunity to attend Rice University. One of my goals my freshman year was to not only grow individually from the rich diversity offered at Rice but to also become a part of this amazing university and to give what I have to offer to better Rice University. These past two years at Rice, I have grown to love and respect the culture even more.”

I believe that, in his words and in his love for Rice’s community, many of you see yourselves. Let us build on that community as we grieve together and support each other. Reach out to one another, to provide and to receive comfort and care.

Counselors in the Student Wellbeing Office and in the Rice Counseling Center stand ready to assist anyone in need of support. You can simply drop in their offices or contact them at 713.348.3311 on a 24/7 basis.

Wishing peace to all of you in the time of sadness,
Dean Hutch

Tragic news. RIP.

Horrible, sad news. Devastating for the football team and the entire Rice community. RIP Blain.

Quote:Mike Bloomgren: “Our team is devastated by this news. All of my thoughts right now are how best to help Blain’s family and his teammates in this very difficult period.”

Quote:Joe Karlgaard: “Our entire athletic department is in mourning over the loss of Blain Padgett. Blain was a great friend and teammate and the sense of loss is overwhelming to his teammates, his friends, but most importantly to his family, who are in our thoughts and prayers. We will do everything in our power to provide assistance to our student-athletes in this incredibly difficult time.”

Just terrible.

https://www.chron.com/sports/rice/articl...724348.php

So tragic and devastating to the family.

Just shocking. My condolences to the family, team, and friends of this young man.

FYI - A memorial service will be held on Wed., March 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, on 3810 N. Major Drive, in Beaumont. His funeral will follow at the church on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Edit: Adding donation info - The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Blain Padgett Scholarship Fund, c/o Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.

There is a great article about Blain in last week's Rice Thresher:
http://www.ricethresher.org/article/2018...in-padgett

Has there been any further information on the cause of death?