Former Central Michigan football player killed in Hunting Accident

Tommy Lazzaro was a quarterback for the Central Michigan University (CMU) Chippewas football team, primarily playing during the 2018 and 2019 seasons is dead after a tragic hunting accident.

The former CMU quarterback was killed in a hunting incident on Dec. 22, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed.

The deadly incident happened at Eglin Air Force Base in Walton County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon.

The 27-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lazzaro attended Naperville Central High School in Illinois, where he was a standout quarterback. Before joining CMU, he played at Dodge City Community College in Kansas, where he showed promise as a dual-threat quarterback.

Lazzaro transferred to CMU and became a key part of the offense during the 2018 season. He played in 10 games, starting several. As a dual-threat QB, he was known for his ability to run the ball effectively, particularly in CMU’s option-style offense.

After his college career Lazzaro joined the military, and rose ranks to Sergeant in the Army.

Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro, with 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died after being hit by a stray round on Sunday. The bullet was fired by a hunter who was shooting on the Eglin range, a popular hunting location.

Lazzaro was driving to the range to help a fellow soldier who was having car trouble. All individuals involved remained on scene and are cooperating with the investigation.

Please keep the Lazzaro family in your prayers. This is such a tragic situation.