Sterling Lewis, who played linebacker for the Arizona football team under Mike Stoops in 2008 and 2009, died Wednesday after being hospitalized for valley fever, a fungal infection in the lungs. He was 32.
Lewis' head coach at Copperas Cove (Texas) High School, Jack Welch, shared the news via Twitter.
"Some things I'll never understand, and this one really hurts," former Wildcat Earl Mitchell said on social media. "Thank you for all the laughs and good times. Rest easy bro."
Lewis contributed 98 tackles, three sacks and an interception in two seasons for UA teams that went to the Las Vegas Bowl and Holiday Bowl.