Maryland running back Josiah McLaurin was on his way to practice one week before the Terrapins’ season opener when he received a phone call informing him his father, Robert “Todd” McLaurin, and his cousin Kirk Walker had been killed in a car accident in New York earlier that Saturday.
The tragedy left the freshman navigating unimaginable sorrow while leaving his immediate future on the football field uncertain ahead of what was to be the first game of his college career. After emotional dialogue with family and leaning on his teammates and the Terrapins coaching staff, McLaurin decided to remain in College Park with the hope of playing against visiting Connecticut.