Tragedy in the U.S.: A young football player has died. He was 20 years old.

The community of Worland, a small town in the state of Wyoming, is mourning the loss of Roman Parra. The young man, 20 years old, died from injuries sustained in a car accident on Weld County Road 80 in Colorado.

He was a member of the Worland High School sports teams: he initially joined the soccer team, then competed on the track and field team (specializing in the long jump) before dedicating himself to football.

These are the words of Alyssa McDonald, Roman Parra’s mother: “Our little one has gone to rest in the arms of the Lord. He fought the hardest battle I’ve ever seen him face, right up until his last breath. I can only imagine that his number 8 was running down the middle of the field to score his final touchdown, straight toward the open gates of Heaven and toward the most beautiful embrace of his life. I have no doubt that my little boy is walking alongside Jesus.”

“Roman sought to know God every single day; during lunch break, he could almost always be found on the couch with his Bible open in his hands. He was an extraordinary example of kindness to everyone he met. To him, there were no strangers, and a simple handshake was never enough.”

“He gave a hug to everyone. He wanted all of you to know God, and he would be so happy to know how many people have opened the Bible and wept on their knees, clinging tightly to their faith. Over the past week, Roman has spread love throughout the country, and nothing would make him prouder.”