Asaph Schwapp, who was a football star at Hartford's Weaver High School and went on to play at Notre Dame, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on Wednesday.
Schwapp, 26, was diagnosed with the form of cancer in March 2012, according to close friends.
Schwapp's former Notre Dame teammate, Mike Golic Jr., told NBC Connecticut's Kevin Nathan he knew Asaph's disease was serious, but was devastated to learn of Schwapp's death on Wednesday. Golic said Schwapp had such a positive attitude about his diagnosis, that most of his former teammates thought he would be alright.
A former Connecticut Player of the Year, Schwapp made his mark as a member of the Weaver Beavers, before choosing to play for Notre Dame, where he was a fullback for the Fighting Irish.
Funeral arrangements for Schwapp have not been announced.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com