Jorge Lopez, with his San Diego flag football team at the 2006 Gay Games.
Tragedy struck at the second annual Pride Bowl gay flag football tournament in Chicago, when Jorge Lopez, a player for the Michigan Panthers, passed out on the sidelines during a Friday game and died shortly thereafter. The cause of death, while not confirmed, was believed to have been a heart attack.
Lopez, 41, fell ill during a game against the New York Pieces Bulldogs that began at 11:15 a.m. He was playing quarterback for the Panthers, had just thrown a touchdown pass and collapsed after walking to the sidelines, a witness said.
“He passed out cold during the game and died in the ambulance on the way,” to the hospital, said Shawn Albritton of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association, which sponsored the tournament, held at Montrose Beach. “This is so sad, I’ve never been a part of anything like this.”
The game against the Bulldogs continued while Lopez was on his way to the hospital. Tournament officials informed the Panthers about Lopez’s passing during halftime of its second game against the Denver Summit, and the team elected to finish the game.
“He really was a sweet, sweet man and a gifted athlete,” said Molly Lenore of Lopez. Lenore, a player for another New York team in the tournament, played in several softball and flag football tournaments against Lopez.
Lopez had previously played gay flag football while living in San Diego. He was living in Oxford, Miss., with his partner.
Some of Lopez’s former San Diego teammates eulogized him on their Facebook pages.
Michael Jazmin:
I love you Jorge, I will truly miss your competitiveness, GREAT smile and wonderful heart. You have always been a GREAT friend and the best teammate one could ask for. I will always remember our fond memories of all the football and softball tournaments we played in. RIP my friend!
Douglas Komlenic:
I love you Jorge - I am sure you are in heaven playing football. You were an amazing athlete (football player) and MAN. Miss you so much xoxoxoxo.
Steve Cramsie:
Rest in peace Jorge … I have rarely met a better guy and a sweeter soul than you. I am sad I will never get to experience that again.
Todd Hicks from his Michigan Panthers team sent me this touching tribute:
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be and when you do, you soon realize that they will affect your life in some profound way. Jorge did that for me.
Jorge taught me that life is about the simple things, like a smile, a hug, a sunny day or a good laugh. Sometimes things happen at a time that seem horrible, painful and unfair but, upon reflection, you realize you were blessed to of known such a person and have them in your life. The people we meet affect our life and Jorge affected mine in many ways. He was a teacher of simple things and I felt like a student.
When someone loves you, love them back, unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to the simple things. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Jorge taught me to live in the moment, because that is all we truly have. His smile could warm anyone’s heart.
Playing football with Jorge was truly a joy. He played hard, but reminded you to have fun. Off the field he was compassionate and personable. I thank you Jorge for being in my life and creating special moments that I will cherish forever. I will take comfort in knowing that your spirit will be with me always. To honor Jorge, I must now become the teacher of simple things. This I will do so proudly.
Ross Forman contributed to this report.
on Jun 26th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Sad news.
on Jun 28th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Jorge,
The heavens are too crowded with angels man. We needed you down here.
I’ve missed you since you’ve left San Diego and it’s beyond sad to know you’ll never be back.
Fortunately memories are something death can’t take away, and I have many, many happy ones of you while you were here.
Rest in peace, Jorge. Your family, your ENTIRE family, will miss you.
on Jun 28th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I can’t imagine how awful it must have been for his teammates and players from the other team to see this happen to their friend and teammate. This must have cast a pall over the rest of the tournament. My sympathies to all who knew Jorge.
on Jun 28th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Rest in Peace Jorge.
I have a couple of questions.
How does someone live in Oxford, MS (my home town) and play for the Michigan Panthers?
And did anyone perform CPR on him before the ambulance arrived? I certainly hope someone trained in CPR was on hand and performed it on him.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Jorge was definitely a gifted athlete with a warm heart and very lovable. We played softball in San Diego and I certainly enjoyed in upbeat and competitive attitude. It makes me wonder why Jorge?
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Jorge,
God has blessed my life by introducing you to me. As your teammate and more importantly your friend, I have experienced many fond memories I will carry on for the remainder of my life. I thank you for the laughter and wonderful times we had on and off the field. I will miss that smile and your wonderful personality my friend. My heart is heavy now, but I look forward to seeing you again in heaven. My prayers to Rodney, the Lopez family and all the people who had the opportunity to get to know Jorge.
Todd Hicks (Michigan Panthers).
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I played with the NYC Bulldogs and it freaked us all out. It made me think about the important things in life- the friendships I have developed through gay sports.
To answer Zeke’s question. The ambulance was there before he passed out and once he was in the ambulance he had to be resuscitated.
The great thing about these kind of events are that if you choose to play with your friends from other cities you can. This is how you maximize your enjoyment and strengthen the bonds of friendship.
He was a kind person, always smiling and a gentlemen in victory and defeat. We have not lost a great player but a great man.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
My heart aches for all of those who knew Jorge. He was an incredible, honest, down to earth person who would give you his shirt off his back if you needed it. May you rest in peace now. Love always,
Joshua
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Jorge was an exceptional person, hard worker, gifted athlete, tough competitor and a class act. He always contributed to the team and pushed to make everyone around him better, which I’m sure was true just as much off the field as well. We will miss him and his jovial attitude.
Our condolences to our brothers in San Diego, his friends and family, and most of all to his partner Rodney.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Jorge was one of many people I called my friend, but one of few that I considered to be a part of my family. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug. I can say in the short two years I was able to get to know him, he had a sense of heart that just won you over. He was a man of his word. He will truly be missed and will forever be in the hearts of us here in Memphis.
Our heart goes out to Rodney and to Jorge’s Family at this time. Rodney, know you are loved!!!
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
From the day I helped recruit Jorge to the Mody Dick’s softball team, I realized I had met not only a great ball player, but a truly special person. Jorge made me smile whenever I saw him. He was a great athlete, man and friend. You’ll be missed terribly, but never forgotten. You will be in our hearts forever.
I’m going to really miss all your dumb text message jokes. So, send me a message from the heavens my friend.
We love you always.
Chet & David
To Rodney, the Lopez family, and all of Jorge’s friends: You’re in our thoughts and prayers.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I met Jorge in 2002. I was managing a clean and sober softball team in San Diego. Jorge made an immediate positive impact on the team. He was competitive, driven, talented and an inspiring teammate.
Jorge and I got to be good friends and we could talk about softball for hours! Not long after we met it turned out that Jorge had gone to high school with one of my hairstylists in yuma arizona! Jorge had not come out yet but he would defend Chris from the bullies in school. That’s the kind of guy Jorge was. He was a very compassionate man.
I am going to miss him.
on Jun 29th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I had known Jorge thru playing against him many times in the San Diego softball league but never truly met him until we traveled together with a softball team to Tampa a few years ago. As it happens, we sat next to each other on the plane and talked the whole trip there. By the time we landed, it seemed like we were best friends. We hung out quite a bit and he even saved me at the bar. Someone was hitting on me and I guess I sent out the “signal” so Jorge came over and pretended to be my lover of 13 years! Ever since then, Jorge remained a part of my life. I’ll miss you friend!
on Jun 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I had only known Jorge for a few years. He became one of the dearest people I ever met. He never had a harsh word about anybody and always made you feel like a family member. He called me almost everyday last year when my father passed away just to make sure I was doing okay and if I needed anything. There has never been a more loyal friend then this man. He will always have a place in my heart and I will never be able to fill this empty feeling I have now. Rodney, I hope you realize that you are also apart of my family as well. Love both of you greatly.
on Jul 1st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I remember the first time I played football against Jorge her in San Diego. I was the center of my team and had the daunting task of blocking him on alot of plays. Needless to say, giving up fifty pounds to Jorge, that it was a long day in the trenches. Anybody who’s played against Jorge knows that he’s a great competitor on the field what some people don’t realize is how fantastic he is of of it. I learned it later that day when I ran into him at a local bar and we discussed the game. I remember thinking to myself that this fiery competitor on the field is probably one of the most genuine people that I’ve ever met in my life. This mountain of man had a heart to match.
Unfortunately, we never got a chance to play on the same football team. Maybe we’ll get that chance in the other side. You’ll be sadly missed Jorge, I’m sure wherever you are that you’re making people smile.
on Jul 1st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Steve and I meet Jorge on the softball and football. We was a beam of light that we have ever meet. He was a true friend to everybody he meet and touched.
We will miss him very much, even thought we stayed in touch through txt and phone calls.
I personally will miss playing with and against him. He was a great teammate and friend.
We love you and will miss you amigo.
on Jul 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Jorge,
Dude I remember coining our phrase , did you bring the popcorn? BECAUSE ITS SHOWTIME! You came into our softball team the same day I did. You were always a great guy with a HUGE heart! You were too good for this world. I will never forget my times playing the outfield with you I truely miss you and can not believe you are gone. You were one of my best friends and you helped my straight ass look good
I love you dude. 
on Jul 4th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
[...] Players and friends react. [...]
on Jul 5th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Jorge must have been a special man. To read the eulogy given to him was very touching. I was so moved when i read it. Next time i see someone i love, i’ll walk up to them and hug em and kiss them and tell them how much i love them. I’m now living my life like it’s my last day on earth. I am sorry for your loss. I will pray for Jorge’s family and teammates.
on Jul 6th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I met Jorge while playing softball and instantly became friends with him. He was the nicest, most honest guy I had met. I will miss him terribly.
on Jul 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I’ve known george since back in high school…he wuz a great person then and it looks like he touched everyone who knew him…i wuz shocked to find out about his passing…i’d lost contact with him throughout the years and wuz happy to make contact with him not too long ago…i had the privledge of being one of his good friends….george know that u will be missed greatly by everyone u knew…especially me…i know u r up in heaven looking down upon all of us and smiling…rest in peace my friend….i will miss u terribly…my prayers for george’s family and his partner rodney…