Matt James: Saturday PM Update- A "Tragic Accident"

Panama City, Florida police held an afternoon press conference detailing the circumstances surrounding the death of Notre Dame signee Matt James.

Police did not use James' name during the presser. They only would refer to him as a "17-year-old from Ohio who had signed with Notre Dame."

The details given by police major David Humphries are disappointing if true...

"Witnesses and friends indicate he had become drunk and belligerent," Humphreys said. "He had leaned over the balcony rail, was shaking his finger at the people in the next room over. He fell over."

Naturally, Humphries said police would be interested in pursuing charges against those who interacted with James if it was learned who provided him with the alcohol that led to the death Friday.

"It appears to be a tragic accident," Humphreys said...

Here's morning coverage from our friends at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati...

Matt James: Saturday Update

((HT: WNDU-TV South Bend/Fox 19 Cincinnati))

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly sent out the following statement on the death of incoming freshman Matt Kelly. Kelly died falling from a hotel balcony last night while on Spring Break in Panama City, Florida.

"The Notre Dame football program is in a state of disbelief and incredible sadness with the news of this tragic event,” Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Matt James in this most trying of times. “On a personal level, I got to know Matt quite well over the past few years and he was a wonderful young man from a great family. Matt was an extremely talented person who was very bright and possessed a great dry sense of humor. He could not wait to join the Notre Dame family.

“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the James family as well as the St. Xavier High School and Cincinnati communities.”

Here's local coverage from South Bend, thanks to our friends at WNDU-TV...
Maureen McFadden tosses to Angelo DiCarlo...


St. Xavier students gathered at the high school Friday evening. Candles were lighted and students shared their memories of Matt before saying prayers.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the James family," says Mark Motz, St. Xavier director of communications and publications. "The entire James family- immediate and extended- has always been good to St. X. We hope we can be comfort in their time of need. We are a faith community and this is certainly is a test of that faith, but we will get through it together. We are all devastated by the news, but grateful for the gift of having Matt as an Xavier man."

A Facebook group honoring James has over 3,200 members as of Saturday morning.

Here's Cincinnati coverage from our friends at WXIX-TV/Fox 19

BREAKING NEWS: Notre Dame Recruit Dies In Spring Break Fall

One of the country’s top high school senior football recruits died in a fall from a motel balcony during Spring Break.

17-year-old Matt James of Cincinnati died Friday night after falling from the third floor balcony of the Days Inn Motel on Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, Florida. Police said the initial indications are the teenager fell over the balcony railing of his motel room and, apparently, died instantly.

Police say they could not publicly confirm the identity of the teenager because relatives had not been formally notified. But WCPO-TV in Cincinnati indicates the victim was James.

He attended St. Xavier High School where he was a 6’7”, 280 pound offensive tackle. He had been recruited by Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina. He considered in-state schools, Cincinnati and Ohio State, before signing on with the Notre Dame on National Signing Day.

Panama City Beach police are investigating...

Here's Jerry Brown recapping the lead story for our friends at WMBB-TV in Panama City Beach...


Here's file video of James from his time at St. Xavier...
((HT: The Forbes Report))