On Monday morning, we received the devastating news that Arizona Wildcats center Zach Hemmila was found dead in his apartment after dying in his sleep.
Hemmila, 22, played in 27 games at Arizona, and was battling to be the team’s starting center for the upcoming season.
Most importantly, Hemmila made a positive impact on the lives of many, and it was evident by the outpour on social media after the news of his death broke:
Speechless, yu told me yesterday “bro your gonna kill it this year, yu got a can?!” I will always cherish those moments! We love yu Hemi
— 10GAMBINO♋ (@samajie_grant) August 8, 2016
I really can’t believe that this happened. We would sit n talk about life and plans after football. Great person inside and out #Forever65
— David Richards (@godeepdave_4) August 9, 2016
Eye opening.. All we can do is pray for his family and live life to the fullest #Forever65
— Marcus Griffin (@TheRealMG96) August 8, 2016
I Love you bro ❤️ #Forever65
— Paul Magloire (@P_MAGLOIRE) August 8, 2016
Rest in peace brother. It won’t be the same without you. Please everyone pray for Zach and his family #65 #BearDownForLife
— Josh Pollack (@JoshPollack9) August 8, 2016
I’ll never really understand life. It’s just not fair. #Forever65
— Zach Benjamin (@Kodak_Zach87) August 8, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are forever with his family #Forever65
— Fin (@Fintonconnolly) August 8, 2016
Love you bro #Forever65
— bduze (@AnduzeB) August 8, 2016
Beyond saddened to hear of the passing of Zach Hemmila. His progress over the years was amazing. RIP brother. pic.twitter.com/oM1s396fJs
— Jake Smith (@iKicked_) August 8, 2016
— Demetrius Flannigan™ (@Dflann12) August 8, 2016
#Forever65 You in a better place now
— Jace Whittaker (@Willtakher_Jace) August 8, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Zach Hemila. Rest easy Zach forever my brother! #Forever65
— Reggie Gilbert (@reggiegilbert84) August 8, 2016
Rest in peace brother… My thoughts and prayers are to your family #Forever65
— Nathan Eldridge (@nathanj53) August 8, 2016
Wow, not expecting this. God bless u & ur family @hemmila65 rest easy brother. Incredible teammate, will still play huge part in this season
— Jared Tevis (@TucTownTevis) August 8, 2016
I looked up to him like a big brother, I’ll never forget you bro
— Harper Sherman (@Harpersherman) August 8, 2016
Zach was more than just a teammate and mentor, he was a brother to all of us. Rest in peace Hem #Forever65
— Harper Sherman (@Harpersherman) August 8, 2016
Rest in peace brother. I’ll see you on the other side. #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/ajw3zqT3xl
— Levi Walton (@LeviWalton55) August 8, 2016
Rest in Peace Zach Hemmila, you will never be forgotten! Love you bro! #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/NqX6C54nSc
— Cody Creason (@Cody_Creason) August 8, 2016
Can’t believe someone can leave so quick. Zach was good hearted and always nice to me #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/XHwaxYuGoF
— Jack Banda (@Jackpanda92) August 9, 2016
Love you and miss you Zach. Rest easy #Forever65
— Mickey Baucus (@mickbauks) August 8, 2016
Still can’t believe the terrible news. We grew such a strong bond over the years working on the field. Love you brother. RIP #Forever65
— Carter Wood (@Carterwood66) August 8, 2016
Thoughts and prayers going out man to the hemmila family. Zach im gunna miss ya pal everyone will… Gone but not forgotten #65
— JDUB55 (@WorthyJ_55) August 8, 2016
@ArizonaFBall we lost a good one today..my heart is hurting right now. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hemmila family. #BearDownZach
— Matt Scott (@mscottqb10) August 8, 2016
Rest in peace big dawg…… #forever65 pic.twitter.com/4ryenhqCV6
— Scooby Wright III (@TwoStarScoob) August 8, 2016
This is outside Arizona’s football stadium. Condolences to the Hemmila family &UA football. #Forever65 #CampusRush pic.twitter.com/M5vYzh0e6v
— Justin E. Spears (@JustinESports) August 9, 2016
My heart aches…can’t even put into words anything else #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/NfXaQel946
— Matt Dudek (@AZ_Matty_D) August 8, 2016
The Oline room won’t be the same. Lucky to have been his teammate & coach. Gone but never forgotten #Forever65
— Kyle Quinn (@KQuinn76) August 9, 2016
— ABRAHAM MENDIVIL (@TD_Mendi) August 9, 2016
#Forever65 pic.twitter.com/SVJnXoTlHq
— Nate Phillips (@natephil6) August 9, 2016
— Bobby Dalbec ⚾ (@BobbyDalbec) August 8, 2016
Please pray for the Hemmila family. We will miss you Zach. #Forever65
— Rod Smith (@BearDownRSmith) August 8, 2016
Zach put this in my phone to remind me to pick him up for practice one day. Never changed it, never will. #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/hpGHEOJ4lO
— Chase Gorham (@Cha_cho50) August 8, 2016
Words can’t express the sadness right now!! Thoughts and prayers to the Hemmila family!! #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/BMVhGhoi7x
— Charlie Ragle (@RagleCharlie) August 8, 2016
Wow that’s sad to hear … #Forever65 Rest in peace Hemmila
— Shaq Richardson (@Dr4_unruly) August 8, 2016
rest easy my brotha @hemmila65 love you hemmdawg ✊ #Forever65
— Sani Fuimaono (@saniboi99) August 8, 2016
Say hi to Lezo for us, Zach. You will be missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace. #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/U3i3Blv4wT
— Arizona Track/XC (@ArizonaTrack) August 8, 2016
Zach was always at the Children’s Hospital doing volunteer work. He will be missed be so very many. #Forever65
— Rick Powell (@RickBallz) August 8, 2016
Sadden to hear about the news of Zach Hemmila. Will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers! @ArizonaFBall #BearDown Guys! #BearDownZach
— Robert Golden (@R0bG0lden) August 8, 2016
One time for Zach Hemmila! Thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones! Once a Wi… https://t.co/0PgkPQ0MaW pic.twitter.com/ISYVfskmoy
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) August 8, 2016
RIP Zach Hemmila. You will always be a part of the Wildcat Family. #Forever65 pic.twitter.com/QB6ITa9rn6
— Arizona W Basketball (@ArizonaWBBall) August 8, 2016
Rest easy big fella you’ll be missed love you bro #Forever65
— Calvin Allen IV (@C_Allen99) August 8, 2016
From rooming together at OSU camp when we where 15 to rooming together freshman year. You always had my back #RIP65 pic.twitter.com/SIxyzbfljG
— Beau Boyster (@BeauBeesy) August 8, 2016
65 strong. Love you brother
— Michael Barton (@MikeB__11) August 8, 2016
Never to be forgotten!! Going to miss you Hemdaddy!! pic.twitter.com/FwWF5BRrpe
— Gerhard de Beer (@Tarzan_Football) August 9, 2016