Young footballer Kaylen Dennis tragically died during a football match
Young footballer Kaylen Dennis tragically died during a football match
Sheffield United star Rhian Brewster paid a touching tribute to his teenage cousin on Wednesday night - just hours after the 17-year-old died during a football match.
Kaylen Dennis, 17, died during a Walthamstow Football Club fixture on Wednesday. The semi-pro club said: "We are devastated to learn of the passing away of one of our U23 players, Kaylen Dennis during a game. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, teammates and everyone that knew him."
Brewster played for Chris Wilder’s Championship leaders against Millwall barely an hour after learning of the news, and scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Blades. It was his first goal in more than two years, having not found the net in a league match since October 2022.
And while the ex-Liverpool player would have no doubt been delighted by that outcome, he followed up not by wildly celebrating, but by pointing his right index finger to the sky and dedicating the goal to Kaylen.
Rhian Brewster points to the sky in tribute after scoring for Sheffield United
Rhian Brewster points to the sky in tribute after scoring for Sheffield United
Brewster told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I want to dedicate that goal to my younger cousin. He passed away earlier today before the game, so that's one for him and the family.
"It's a very tough time for the family, but I played for him today, and I was very happy to come away with a goal, and that's for him."
Football coach Scott Chickelday paid tribute to Dennis on Thursday, saying: "'Heartbreaking to hear yesterday that a 17-year-old boy I had the pleasure of knowing with an unbelievable talent passed away on the football pitch yesterday. Kaylen Dennis was not just a talented footballer but was a great character and person! God bless Kaylen fly high champ."
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Walthamstow Reserves DC said: "Words cannot describe how we feel about this news today.
"A kid with the brightest future, beyond being a talented young footballer, he was a blessed young man.
"Our football family will gather around his family during this difficult time. Rest in perfect peace Kaylen Dennis."
On Brewster’s goal, Blades boss Wilder said: "I've talked a lot about his personality and his character and how he doesn't want to be injured and on the treatment table. He takes all the headlines to win a game at a difficult place.”
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