Ex-Central Michigan QB Tommy Lazzaro dies at 27

Field Level Media|published: Fri 27th December, 11:37 2024

Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Tommy Lazzaro dives in for a touchdown against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks during the second half of the MAC championship game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit. Mac

Funeral services will be held Saturday for former Central Michigan quarterback Tommy Lazzaro, who died last weekend in a reported hunting accident in Florida.

He was 27.

Lazzaro enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation and was a sergeant serving at the time of his death. He will be buried with full military honors.

At Central Michigan, Lazzaro played in 20 career games (five starts) from 2016-19.

"When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader in so many ways," said Jim McElwain, who coached Lazzaro in 2019. "CMU football was blessed to have him and will always remember him for all he did for many of us. He will be missed by all of the Chippewas."

In four seasons with the Chippewas, Lazzaro completed 72 passes for 758 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 542 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In his senior season, Lazzaro received the team's Kurt Dobronski Award, given to the player who "demonstrates great effort, intensity and appreciation for the Chippewa football program," as selected by the team.

Lazzaro also spent one season at Dodge City Community College in Kansas, where he threw for 2,237 yards, threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for five more.

--Field Level Media

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