‘They’re hurting’: Fresno football team mourns young player lost in crash

SANGER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The community continues to mourn the loss of youth football player Corday Brown. The 10-year-old was fatally hit by a truck last Sunday in Southwest Fresno.

On Saturday night, his football team, the Fresno Miners, played their first game without him.

“He is an angel looking over us tonight,” said Raymond Mayberry, President of the Miners Youth Football and Cheer Program.

Corday is remembered as an outgoing, good kid and a standout athlete. “He was tremendous as a football player,” recalled Richard Ruiz, President of the Sanger Youth Football and Cheer League. 

His memory was honored in every moment of the game. During an opening ceremony, both teams came together, not as opponents but as a family to pray and observe a moment of silence.

“My fifth graders have been playing against Cordae since he was a peewee. I, myself have been watching that little boy play football since he was a peewee. So we might not go to school together or be in the same district, but we have spent many Saturdays together, us and that little boy,” Ruiz shared. 

The Miners wore shirts with a photo of Corday, hugged by angel wings and his jersey number, 34. His teammates also carrying a piece of the 5th graders’ legacy on the back of their helmets. 

“We honor him in the same spirit of the way that he played the game full of passion for the heart, love for his teammates. He’s a respectful young man. He had love for his opponents,” explained Ruiz. 

Corday’s father, Cortney, stepped in to do the coin flip with his son’s jersey on the field alongside his team.

“The love and support everybody doing from each program, it’s wonderful,” he said.

Corday leaves behind his father and siblings. His little sister, who is part of the Miners, cheering from the sidelines. She and the rest of the team became emotional as Corday was honored throughout the night.

“It’s been tough. That’s all I can say. It’s been tough, they’re hurting,” shared Mayberry.