Bronx students mourn the loss of their beloved football coach who died in an accident

THE BRONX (WABC) – Football season is now over, but many tears were shed this weekend for a beloved coach who died in a horrific accident.

Dwight Downer, 60, coached football with the Bronx Buccaneers and at DeWitt Clinton High School.

Students say Coach Downer was tough, but underneath that tough exterior he was full of heart.

“You know, he never really made it easy for us because you want to get the best out of all of us,” 13-year quarterback Manny Lora said.

At midnight Saturday morning, Coach Downer had just left his car at the Givan Ave intersection. and Eastchester Road in the Bronx. He was getting out of his vehicle to walk home when he was fatally struck by another car.

Grief immediately spread through the teams he coached, and the young players were now wracked with grief. The man who made her do push-ups and strive to be a better person is now gone.

“It’s more about raising young men than letting them play football. Anyone can play football, you know? But not everyone can grow up to be a successful young man and be a productive member of society. And that’s what it’s about. “That’s what we wanted,” said Keith Spivey, president of the Bronx Buccaneers.

Coach Downer had a strong legacy, he made a difference – and he did it all as a volunteer.

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