Mason Alexander, an incoming Pitt defensive back, leaves behind a legacy of respect and admiration from those who knew him.
Mason Alexander’s Loss Felt Throughout Pitt Football
On Saturday night, Feb. 28, Alexander was in a car that veered off the road, struck a tree, and caught fire. The 18-year-old Pitt enrollee lost his life in his hometown of Fishers, Ind.
The car tried to avoid another vehicle and overcorrected, careening downhill. The Pitt football program and Alexander’s hometown remain in shock 72 hours after the tragedy.
Grief is an all-encompassing cloud of sadness that covers the loved ones of the departed. Alexander touched the lives of everyone he encountered, on and off the field.
On Dec. 4, 2024, Alexander committed to Pitt, marking a new chapter in his life. As a three-star recruit, he chose the Panthers over Auburn, Oregon, Maryland, and a host of others. Buying into a system is one thing; buying into a school is another.
Alexander embraced the “Panther Way” and wanted to make his mark wearing blue and gold. To those who knew him best, he exemplified the dedication it took to play college football at the highest level. Alexander’s high school coach, Michael Kelly, spoke to the Indianapolis Star regarding the loss.
“To be honest, I don’t know if I’m still in shock, but the hardest thing to think about is how things can happen to people, especially somebody like him,” Kelly said. “He had a presence and positivity about him that was unique. He didn’t think he was bigger than life in any way, and he had next-level talent.”
While Alexander was just one player in a room of a hundred, he was family to Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff. On game day, coaches are equal parts tacticians and motivators who want the best outcome for their team.
At the same time, off the field, they will mix in counselors and sounding boards for young players who are potentially from home. Now, the most challenging part of Narduzzi’s offseason lies ahead. He must gather his team and keep them moving as one during this time of sadness. The coach took to social media to extend his condolences:
“Mason had just enrolled at Pitt in January following his early graduation from Indiana’s Hamilton Southeastern High School. Even during that short time, he made a great impression on all of us. Mason was proud and excited to be a Panther, and we felt the same way about having him in our Pitt family. He will always be a Panther to us.”
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) March 2, 2025
Alexander leaves behind his mother and brother while being predeceased by his father back in 2015. In addition, dozens of teammates, thousands of fans, and former players from Fishers and Pittsburgh. Time may heal all wounds, but it does not erase pained memories of loss.
Alexander’s impact will remain an eternal indication of his passion and promise in the game of football. He used it as motivation after his father died. The sport became not only his path but also his dedication. Fans watch, coaches coach, but players live the game. From snap to whistle, regardless of weather, high schoolers line up across the country.
Some will go on to play in college, while others will take off the pads for the final time and start their lives in a new direction. Football is a brotherhood, and it has lost one of its own. In his own words, via the IndyStar’s Kyle Neddenriep, Alexander explained the sport he loved deeply.
“At that corner spot … (they) say we (just) get paid to cover. I don’t believe in that,” Alexander said. “I get paid to hit, cover, lock you up, make sure you don’t have one catch on the field. I don’t care if you are the best receiver or the worst receiver.”
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