HOPEWELL – Several hundred mourners gathered in the Hopewell High School gymnasium Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to the 15-year-old football player whose death nearly two weeks ago sparked an outpouring of grief in the community.
A funeral procession, led by Jayvion Rafael Taylor’s family, moved slowly across the gym floor, which was covered with a black tarp, to the end of the gym where his casket had been placed, next to various floral arrangements and a large photograph of a smiling Taylor – an expression that was always visible on his face during the funeral, according to several speakers.
The bleachers on either side of the gym were swarming with people dabbing their eyes and cooling off with fans bearing Taylor’s image, some wearing T-shirts with “Long Live Jay” on the front and his football number 8 on the back.
His teammates, most of them wearing their jerseys, came in two by two with their arms folded. They all sat together in one section of the stands, their white jerseys gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Classmates and friends filed in, still with shocked and disbelieving expressions on their faces. Many hugged and cried on each other’s shoulders. During the service, visitors came and went into the gymnasium, wiping their eyes.
Taylor, a 15-year-old 10thA first-grade student collapsed on the practice field next to the high school on August 5 after 40 minutes of what the school system called “light drills.” They were returning from a water break when Taylor fell to the ground about 10 feet from one of the trainers. Despite the best efforts of the trainers and rescue team, Taylor never regained consciousness and died shortly after arriving at HCA TriCities Hospital in Hopewell.
Related: Hopewell superintendent explains investigation into player’s death: “We have confidence in our coaches”
“An amazing young man”
Speakers at Saturday’s memorial service — which included his father, Javon Taylor — spoke about a life that ended far too soon. HHS Principal Judy Carter called him “an amazing young man” and said she was sorry she wouldn’t be able to see him grow up as an adult.
“No one will forget his kindness, his gentleness, his respect and his love of life,” Carter said through tears. “All of that has made it difficult to lose such an amazing young man. I can only imagine what kind of man, husband and father he would have been.”
“I want to remember the great things Jayvion taught me in life,” football coach Ricky Irby said. “He showed me how to smile. When the days were hard, the practices were tough and things weren’t easy, he always had a smile on his face. He showed me how to persevere. He was small in stature, but he had a big heart.”
Other family members and friends spoke about Taylor’s love of sports and football. One family friend said Taylor now plays “on the greatest football team in heaven and for the greatest coach, which is Jesus.”
Jayvon Taylor, the young man’s father, concluded the speeches with brief remarks of his own.
“I know he made me proud. He made his mother proud,” Javon Taylor said. “Everyone was proud of him.”
After the service, doves were released over the practice field. Taylor was buried at Southlawn Memorial Park in Prince George County.
12 days of prayer, mourning and celebration
Saturday’s memorial service was the culmination of one of the most emotionally difficult times for the Hopewell High School community.
Two days after his death, a vigil was held in the same gymnasium where the memorial service had been held. Grief counselors were sent to Hopewell High School to help students and staff cope with the death.
At the school board meeting the day after the vigil, the high school was presented with a blue and gold wreath in his memory.
But the memorial services are not expected to end with Saturday’s service. Both Carter, the school’s principal, and Irby, his coach, told the family they have “big plans” in the coming days to keep Taylor’s legacy alive.
Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist covering breaking news, government and politics. You can reach him at [email protected] or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
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