The Concordia Stingers family is mourning the loss of Ricky Zieba, a second-year linebacker with the football program who died as a result of injuries suffered in a car accident on Wednesday.
“We’re in shock,” said Stinger offensive lineman Anthony Barrette, speaking on behalf of his teammates. “It’s surreal. We can’t believe it.
“Ricky was a natural leader. He was young but you could see he was going to be a future captain. He was the type of guy that brought everyone together. He was good-hearted, passionate and had a strong work ethic. We have so much respect for him.”
In 2008, Zieba played eight regular season games with Concordia, collecting 20 solo tackles, seven assists, a sack and an interception. At the end of the year he was named the team’s outstanding rookie on defence.
Before joining the Stingers, Zieba was an outstanding football player at Vanier College and with the Lakeshore Cougars football association. He was also an accomplished swimmer, representing the Pointe Claire Swim Club.
Upon hearing the news, several members of the Stingers gathered at the Concordia athletic complex to mourn, to support each other and to express their sympathies.
Zieba is survived by his parents Richard Zieba and Nikki Lavoie-Zieba, and his brother Jason.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
