Trending

Sam Bruce, Florida prep star and nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce, dead at 24

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Sam Bruce, a star wide receiver during his high school days in South Florida and the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce, died Thursday. He was 24.

>> Read more trending news

Sam Bruce, who starred at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, died after being involved in a car crash and having a seizure Wednesday night, the Sun-Sentinel reported, citing the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Sam Bruce helped St. Thomas Aquinas win back-to-back state football titles in 2014 and 2015, the Sun-Sentinel reported. He caught 66 passes for 847 yards and 11 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons, according to the newspaper.

Sam Bruce left St. Thomas Aquinas after a photo surfaced online of him holding a gun, and he graduated from Westlake Prep in 2016, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

St. Thomas Aquinas high school posted a statement on Facebook saying, “R.I.P. Sam Bruce. We will miss you and we love you.”

Before his college career, Bruce played for the South Florida Express, a seven-on-seven football program, Sports Illustrated reported.

“We are saddened to hear about the loss of one of the greatest players to ever come through SFE,” the Express said in a statement. “Your infectious energy, and the ability to make anybody laugh will forever live in our hearts. We spoke with Sam’s family, they just ask you to pray for their family during this time.”

Sam Bruce was a part of the University of Miami’s 2016 recruiting class but never played a game for the Hurricanes, the Miami Herald reported.

He was dismissed during his freshman year “due to multiple violations of team rules,” the Sun-Sentinel reported.

In a 2021 interview, Sam Bruce told the newspaper that his violations included oversleeping and missing the team bus on the day of a game against in-state rival Florida State.

After leaving Miami, Sam Bruce signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2018 before transferring to Southeastern University, Sports Illustrated reported. Professionally, he briefly played for the Indoor Football League’s Frisco Fighters, according to the magazine.

©2022 Cox Media Group

Most Read