Stingers Football 2009 !!!

'We should all learn to live like he did'

Standout athlete dies after car accident 22-year-old was mourning the death of his girlfriend

By MEGAN MARTIN, The GazetteJune 27, 2009

Concordia Stingers linebacker Ricky Zieba died June 24 from injuries sustained in a car accident. After losing his girlfriend suddenly four months ago, Concordia Stingers linebacker Ricky Zieba vowed to live his life to the fullest. "He always said, 'You never know when you're going to leave this world, so live fully in every moment,' " his mom, Nikki Zieba, recalled. But all that came to an end on Wednesday as Ricky, who had turned 22 on May 31, died after a car accident in St. Adèle. "It's just the worst news you can imagine," his mother said. "Ever since giving birth, it's what you dread." The Hudson resident was driving to his family's cottage, where he had been staying since the loss of his girlfriend. She died after suffering heart failure while the two were jogging together during a Florida vacation. Ricky is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel when his car drove off the road, rolled down an embankment and came to rest upside-down against two trees. His brother Jason found him about 17 hours later. "He was still with us when I got there," Jason said. "I got to tell him I love him one last time." Ricky was pronounced dead shortly after the ambulance arrived. "I think he was waiting for us to find him," said Ricky's father, Richard. He wore his sunglasses as he spoke, but they did little to hide his grief. "There's just no worse loss in the world." Ricky was set to begin his second season with the Concordia Stingers in September. "I feel like I've lost one of my own children," Stingers head coach Gerry McGrath said. "I was just shocked. You don't expect anything bad to happen to young men, it just doesn't seem natural." Stingers teammate Anthony Barette, 23, had played with Ricky since their time together on the Vanier College team. "It's hard to accept," Barette said. "He's just not here anymore; I feel like part of me is still waiting for someone to say he's OK." His teammates said he was a natural leader, motivating everyone on the team. He was described by many as being larger than life. "We should all learn from this to live life like he did," Barette said. "He was so strong, and he cherished every moment of life." Stingers centre Daryl Rankin, 23, also had played with Ricky since college. "Oh man, he had a gift," Rankin said. "If you didn't know him, you'd love him within minutes of meeting him. His smile could light up a room." The entire Stingers team will attend Monday's funeral, the coach said. "As soon as you met him, you knew he came from a loving family," McGrath said. Yesterday, the Ziebas said they're grateful for all the support they're getting. "It's amazing how many people have filled our home and the stories everyone is sharing," Nikki said. "It gives me so much strength to see how loved he was and how many people he touched." Ricky, who couldn't get enough of his favourite sport, will be laid to rest in his football uniform.

mmartin@thegazette.canwest.com

mercredi 1 juillet 2009

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