MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Former University of Miami football player JoJo Nicolas has died a day after getting into a car crash on a Miami Beach highway.
Nicolas' brother, Abner Davis, said Nicolas died about 5 p.m. Wednesday at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Nicolas was driving home from Miami Beach when his car struck the back of a tractor trailer early Tuesday morning. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The school announced his death Wednesday evening.
"The entire University of Miami family mourns the loss of JoJo Nicolas," Miami athletic director Blake James said in a statement. "JoJo was a valued member of our community, our school and our football program, and his loss is devastating to everyone he touched. On behalf of the university, I send our condolences and thoughts and prayers to JoJo's family, friends and teammates. He will forever be a part of The U."
Nicolas played for the Hurricanes from 2007-11. As a starter his senior season, he had 66 tackles and two interceptions and was the recipient of the team's Melching Leadership Award.
"The University of Miami community has suffered a deep loss with the passing of JoJo Nicolas," coach Al Golden said in a statement. "For all of us who were fortunate to know JoJo -- to coach him, teach him, play alongside him or simply to befriend him--we will forever carry his memory with us. Our prayers go out to his family and his loved ones, and he will always be a cherished member of our family."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
