A 2014 Penn graduate and former Quakers linebacker reportedly died while lobster diving on Wednesday in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Joseph Grosso was lobster diving with a large group of people along Pompano beach when he decided to go into the water alone, according to an article written by Broward County’s Local10 news. When the staff realized he hadn’t resurfaced, they searched for him and found him nonresponsive, the article said.
Grosso was brought to the Hillsboro Inlet marina, where paramedics were waiting to take him to Broward Health North, the Local10 article said, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Broward County Sheriff’s office would not confirm the circumstances surrounding Grosso’s death. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office was unavailable for comment by press time.
Grosso graduated from the Penn College of Arts and Sciences this May with a major in politics, philosophy and economics. He was planning to attend law school at the University of Miami in the fall.
The six-foot, 220-pound Penn linebacker played for the Quakers football team since his freshman year at Penn, finishing his Penn football career with 43 tackles in 31 career games and helping his team win two Ivy League championships.
“The entire Penn football family is saddened by the tragic news of Joe’s passing,” Penn football coach Al Bagnoli said in a statement. “Joe was a terrific young man, an accomplished student and an outstanding player. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family during this very difficult period.”
The Penn Athletics department could not be reached for comment. The University deferred comment to Penn Athletics.
"Joey was one of my biggest role models on the team for the past three years. His work ethic and deep love for the game had a strong impact on me as a player and a teammate," Brion Wood, Grosso's football teammate, said in an email. "I'll always remember him as a mentor, but more importantly, a friend."
Check back for updates.
Sports Editor Holden McGinnis contributed reporting.
Anyone wishing to contribute comments to this story should email News Editor Kristen Grabarz at kgrabarz@sas.upenn.edu.
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