College athlete — brother of NFL player — shot and paralyzed in MN, dad says
A college football player was shot outside a Minnesota home, paralyzing him and ending his football dreams, according to local authorities and the victim's father.
Michael Blidi Jr., who earned a scholarship to continue his football career at Iowa Central Community College, was shot May 29 in Brooklyn Park, police said.
'According to the victim, he was standing on the sidewalk when a vehicle stopped, the suspect got out of the vehicle, fired a single shot, and struck him in the abdomen,' the Brooklyn Park Police Department said in a Facebook post.
The accused gunman fled, police said, and no arrests have been announced as of June 4.
'Thursday night, our son fell victim to gun violence, sustaining a gunshot wound that has shattered our family,' the victim's father, Michael Blidi Sr., said in a Facebook post. 'His football career has been abruptly terminated.'
A standout at Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania, according to PennLive.com, Blidi Jr. was a member of the Stonehill College football team in Massachusetts during his freshman season.
Set to transfer, Blidi Jr. has now been told he will not walk again, his father said in a GoFundMe.
'His dream was terminated by a gunshot wound to his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed from the knee down,' according to Blidi Sr., who described his son as 'a loving child full of life.'
Emilio Diaz, a former high school teammate of Blidi Jr., described him to PennLive as a 'genuine kid' who 'devoted himself to wanting to get better.'
'I'm glad to know he is alive right now and his medical team is doing everything they can to keep him alive and on this earth,' he told the publication. 'I'm a faithful young man. This is a horrible tragedy, but it can lead to a larger triumph because I know Mike, and if he can do everything that he can, there's no doubt God has something planned for him, and I know that he is capable of more.'
Blidi Jr. is the brother of former Auburn University defensive tackle Philip Blidi, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in April.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth's reaction to Aaron Rodgers signing revealed
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth's reaction to Aaron Rodgers signing revealed Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth's initial reaction to the Aaron Rodgers signing has been revealed — and he's ready to chase a Super Bowl. ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported that Freiermuth was on a plane when the Rodgers signing news broke — and this is what the Steelers tight end told her: "I'm excited that Aaron [Rodgers] is a part of the locker room and we can focus on doing all the right steps to compete for a Super Bowl." It's comforting that the team still hasn't lost focus on what truly matters — bringing the seventh Lombardi to the Steel City — as the Rodgers waiting game did little to instill confidence in Pittsburgh's 2025 season. While the Rodgers-to-Freiermuth connection is one Steelers fans can excitedly look forward to, let's not forget Pittsburgh's WR1 DK Metcalf, who spent time catching passes from the four-time MVP during the infamous UCLA throwing session this offseason. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
GoFundMe surpasses $1M in support of Whitney Decker, in memory of three daughters
People from across the world are showing an outpouring of support for Whitney Decker and her family. On Thursday, her GoFundMe soared past $1 million from more than 21,000 donors. This comes as the world mourns Whitney's three young girls: Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth. Their father, Travis Decker, is accused of murdering them. 'When one mother cries, we all cry and hold her in our heart. Thank you for holding Whitney in your hearts now,' said Amy Edwards, a close friend of Whitney. Edwards organized the GoFundMe so 'Whitney can take time off, care for herself and cover the final expenses of the girls without taking a financial hit.' Whitney has been on the minds and in the hearts of people across the world. 'Whitney is living every parent's worst nightmare, the hole in her heart is immeasurable there are no words that can capture the weight of this loss. Right now, she is surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors doing everything they can to hold her up,' said Mark Belton, a close friend of Whitney. But from afar, thousands of strangers, fellow mothers, and people in other countries are showing their support for the mother. On GoFundMe and across social media, people are sharing their own stories, their sympathy, their prayers, and their love. Everyone coming together to raise more than $1 million for Whitney in just a few days. In a statement, GoFundMe told KIRO 7: 'This would be the 2nd Washington GoFundMe ever to reach $1M in donations. However, Washingtonians have consistently shown their generosity. Throughout our 15-year history, Washington is the 9th most generous state in the country.' Here are ways you can help Whitney Decker and her family: Donate through her GoFundMe Visit any Cashmere Valley Bank and ask to make a donation: 'In Memory of the Decker Girls' Send gift cards in place of a meal to: Decker Girls PO Box 405, Wenatchee, WA 98807
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Expecting dad shot, killed during a online sale meetup in Norwalk
The Brief An 18-year-old soon-to-be father, Geovanni Chavez, was shot dead in Norwalk while selling clothes from an online forum. Family members and neighbors mourn his loss, describing him as a good kid with a beautiful heart. Investigators have found a baseball bat near the scene, but no arrests have been made, and the teen's phone is missing. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A soon-to-be father was shot dead in Norwalk Wednesday afternoon while family members say he was meeting with someone from an online forum. What they're saying "He was actually selling some clothes," said Eduardo Castro. "I'm not sure if it was OfferUp or any other link. What transpired after that, we don't know." Family members identify the victim as 18-year-old Geovanni Chavez. "My son was taken too early," said Roxanne, the teen's mother. "My son was an amazing kid. He had a beautiful heart." A memorial is growing outside the gated apartment complex along Los Alisos Circle where Chavez was shot around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. "I want justice for him," said Amber, a neighbor. "He was too young. He was such a good kid. He was sweet." Investigators discovered a baseball bat near the shooting scene. However, family members tell FOX 11 the teen's phone is missing. They're not sure who would have killed the 18-year-old. He was about to become a father. "He was going to be a dad," said Roxanne. "He was excited. He had everything ready." "We're just devastated, and we'll get our closure for sure," said Castro. What we don't know So far, no arrests have been made in this case. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. Local perspective "I would ask the community out there to get behind the family," said Marcus, a friend. "Pray for the family. Pray for the other side of this too. Pray for the idiot that thought this was his only option. I just hope God lets us see the lesson in all this." A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help the family cover funeral expenses. Those looking to help can click here.
