Teva Rodriguez, a 19-year-old midfielder and captain of Nîmes Olympique's reserve team, died on July 7 from injuries sustained in a car crash two days earlier. The club issued a statement expressing 'immense sadness and profound pain.'
Details of the Crash
The accident occurred on July 5 on the road between Dions and La Calmette near Nîmes, France. Rodriguez's car collided with a van coming from the opposite direction. Three people were seriously injured, including Rodriguez, who was rushed to the University Hospital of Nîmes but could not be saved.
Tributes from Coaches
Mickaël Gas, who coached Rodriguez with the U18s and reserves, described him as 'exemplary on the pitch – a fighter – and incredibly kind off it.' He added that Rodriguez 'represented Nîmes Olympique to perfection' and that 'it is impossible to find anyone who would say something negative about him.' Dominique Sablier, his U13 coach, remembered him as a 'true Nîmois' and 'a number 6 in the style of former player Laurent Girard.'
Club Response
Nîmes Olympique changed its website crest to black in honor of Rodriguez. He joined the club from Uzès in 2012 and was appointed reserve team captain earlier this year. A police investigation into the crash is ongoing.
