Family, friends, teammates gather in Miami for slain UConn cornerback Jasper Howard’s funeral

Family, friends gather for UConn player’s funeral

MIAMI — Family, friends and teammates of a slain Connecticut football player say they will remember the small-framed cornerback for his swagger, heart and devotion to his family.

The entire UConn football team attended Jasper Howard’s funeral services Monday, and Huskies coach Randy Edsall addressed the mourners. Edsall praised Howard, saying the 20-year-old was “on track for greatness.”

Howard was fatally stabbed outside a dance on Connecticut’s campus last week. No one has been charged in his death.

Shortly after the funeral services concluded, Howard was interred at a nearby cemetery. He was dressed in a light blue suit and blue and gray football gloves, similar to those he wore on the field for UConn.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MIAMI (AP) — A slain UConn football player’s teammates are gathering in Miami for his funeral.

The team arrived on four white buses for Jasper Howard’s funeral Monday morning. Each man carried a single white rose, tied with a blue ribbon, as he walked into the church in Howard’s hometown.

A viewing was held Sunday, a week after Howard was fatally stabbed outside a dance on Connecticut’s campus. No one has been charged in his death.

Howard’s teammates paid tribute to the cornerback at Saturday’s game against West Virginia. Two UConn players carried his helmet and jersey before kickoff and both West Virginia and Connecticut players wore stickers on their helmets during the game. Connecticut players also held hands and bowed their heads for a moment of silence.