Detroit Catholic Central High School Star Athlete Dies In Sleep

DETROIT (WWJ) - A special mass is being held at Detroit Catholic Central High School Tuesday morning after one of the school's star athletes apparently died in his sleep.

Sixteen-year-old David Widzinski died sometime Sunday night or Monday morning. His cause of death is listed as unknown.

"We don't know how David died. He simply did not wake up yesterday morning. Tragic and devastating to our school community. He was a great young man from a great family," a school official told WXYZ.

The sophomore helped lead the football team into its second straight MHSAA Division 1 championship game last month. Despite the middle linebacker's team-leading 15 tackles, the Shamrocks lost to Detroit Cass Tech 36-21 in the state finals.

Senior Alex Iovan said Widzinski was not only his teammate, he was one of his best friends.

"David was just a really great kid. I just, this really doesn't deserve to happen to him. I'm just at a loss. I really don't know why this happened," Iovan told WWJ's Mike Campbell.

In a statement on the school's website, Father John Huber, C.S.B. principal said "The hearts of our CC community have been tugged in several different and painful directions over this past year.

"We are confident in the prayers, love and support of the greater community, as we have already experienced over this past year. We are grateful for the prayers and love of students and families from our fellow Catholic, public and private schools: you are good friends."

Several Shamrocks coaches, students and teachers are Tweeting about Widzinski's death. The hashtags #PrayfortheWidzinskis, #RIPDavid and #CCFamily were all trending Tuesday morning.

Funeral arrangements are pending.