Lamar Abel, a former walk-on defensive lineman for the Gators, died Saturday after an apparent seizure.
After participating in a roadside cleanup with his fraternity brothers at Southwest 62nd Boulevard on Saturday afternoon, the 21-year-old reported feeling chest pains around 7 p.m.
He suffered a seizure at his home in Campus Lodge Apartments, according to Michael Bowie, an adviser to Abel’s fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
Bowie said one of Abel’s fraternity brothers called the paramedics and tried to resuscitate him before help arrived. He was taken to Shands Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Bowie remembered Abel as a funny person who truly cared about people.
“He was more than just a student to me,” Bowie said. “He was a friend.”
When friends learned of Abel’s death, they arrived at Campus Lodge Apartments to hold a prayer vigil in the parking lot, according to Kimone Codner, a close friend to Abel through the National Panhellenic Council.
“He touched a lot of people while here,” Codner said.
Codner’s sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, named him Mr. Congeniality during a men’s appreciation event. Abel’s sense of humor, motivation and good nature earned him the title, she said.
An official candlelight vigil was organized on Turlington Plaza on Sunday at 8 p.m. in memory of the athlete.
“It was helpful for people to get out their emotion,” Codner said.
The former athlete, who also played for football for Blanche Ely High School in his hometown of Sunrise, was known as quite the cook to those close to him, often offering to prepare meals on Sundays for his fraternity brothers and neighbors.
The 6-2, 263-pound Abel wore the No. 62 jersey, dressed for 10 games and saw playing time when the Gators played the Citadel in 2008. He was named Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the game against South Carolina in 2008. Abel also made the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2008-2009, according to UF archives.
