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‘Heart of a lion’: Queens rugby player killed in crash while driving home

CHARLOTTE — Jessie Morales’ life was cut short when state troopers say the 20-year-old was killed in a crash last weekend.

Morales was a junior at Queens University of Charlotte and a student-athlete on its men’s rugby team.

“In Division I rugby, usually you want bigger stronger faster guys. Jessie had the heart of a lion,” said head men’s coach Frank McKinney. “Jessie was a lion on the field.”

Morales measured 5 feet, 5 inches tall, but stood tallest when on the rugby field.

“He played bigger than a lot of the guys that played in front of him, so he started a lot of games,” said McKinney, who coached Morales for three seasons.

Troopers said Jessie Morales ran off the road this past weekend when he crashed and died. They’re still investigating what happened.

The loss is yet another heartbreak for the Morales family, who is also still grieving their youngest brother and son, John.

Last May, 15-year-old John Morales was shot and killed in east Charlotte.

McKinney said he initially met the Morales family at John’s funeral.

“As a coach, I think I prepare for big games, close losses, travel -- but I don’t think as a coach to prepare for a student-athlete to die,” McKinney said.

Almost as quickly as news of his death spread, the community responded with tributes from a local soccer and rugby club, alongside a fundraiser from sister Daisy Morales through GoFundMe.

She explained her desire to help their family lay Jessie to rest saying, “Within grieving our younger brother this past year, Jessie made a really big decision to be cremated. We are fundraising to fulfill his last wishes and spread his ashes around the world.”

One day later, the GoFundMe raised more than $17,000.

McKinney said he challenged the men’s team to help ensure Morales is never forgotten.

“I gave them a homework assignment and said, ‘We want to remember Jessie,’” he said. “I don’t want his memory to go away after the funeral.”

Morales’ mother Melissa said she was proud of her sons.

The visitation for Jessie Morales will be held on Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Roseboro’s Mortuary and Crematory, which is at 4300 Statesville Road in Charlotte. His funeral will be held the following day from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at QC Soundstage, which is at 3049 Scott Futrell Drive in Charlotte.

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