Former Illinois football player Bobby Roundtree, who was paralyzed in swimming accident, dies at 23
Former University of Illinois football player Bobby Roundtree, who was paralyzed in a swimming accident, died Friday, the school said. He was 23.
Roundtree played for the Fightin’ Illini for two seasons before the 2019 accident in Florida. The defensive end earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention in his sophomore season, during which he led Illinois in tackles for loss, sacks and pass breakups.
“From his first day on campus, Bobby was a leader. His work ethic, competitive fire, and drive for excellence set him apart,” Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman said in a statement. “Following his tragic accident, those same qualities allowed him to tackle his new challenges with the same vigor and determination that we had seen on the football field.