‘The shining light in any dark room’

The celebration of life for Chase Stegall, the son of Winnipeg Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall, was held Wednesday morning at Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga.

Chase, a junior midfielder on the DePaul University men’s soccer team, died unexpectedly last week in his dorm room in Chicago. He was 20 years old.

“TODAY WILL BE AN AMAZING DAY!” Stegall posted on the social media platform X early Wednesday.

“We’re going to CRY. We’re going to SMILE. We’re going to LAUGH. And we’re going to CELEBRATE. I promise!”

DePaul soccer coach Mark Plotkin, family friend and former Bombers receiver Wallace Miles, teammate and best friend Jordan Clagette, and cousin Aundraya Boone all took turns behind the lectern to share memories about Chase with Milt, wife Darlene, and their youngest son Collin, sitting in the front row. The service was streamed online on YouTube.

“There’s one word I’d use to describe Chase Stegall: electric. It’s what I saw on film in 2022 when I first saw him play,” said Plotkin.

“Ten minutes into the game, you see the fastest player I’ve ever seen take off down the left wing, cover 60 yards in the blink of an eye like only Chase can, and score a goal. Electric.”

DePaul’s soccer program framed the jersey Chase wore when he scored his first career NCAA goal and presented it to the Stegall family after Plotkin’s eulogy.

“Chase was the most genuine, innocent and sweet human being that you’ll ever meet. The day after our spring season ended last year, where we won the Chicago Cup and Chase put in one of the most dominating performances I have ever seen, the transfer portal opened. It was a Sunday morning, and I received a text message most coaches don’t want to receive: ‘Hey coach, do you have a minute to chat?’” said Plotkin, fearing one of his best players was about to inform him he was switching schools.

“When he answered (my call), I said, ‘Hey Chase, what’s up?’ And he said, ‘Hey coach, I just wanted to thank you.’ And I go, ‘And?’ And he said, ‘Nothing, I just wanted to thank you and the coaching staff for everything you’ve done for our team this spring.’ I had never received a phone call like that before, it completely knocked me off my feet.”

“He made me feel, and everyone feel, like family… He had the unique ability to connect with anyone and everyone and make them feel special. Electric.”

Clagette and Chase starred together at Woodward Academy in Atlanta before they both agreed to take their talents to DePaul.

“Chase was the most joyful and kind guy that I had ever met,” said Clagette.

“I can’t think of any situation in which Chase was thinking about the downside of anything. It’s what made him the shining light in any dark room. Moving to Chicago was the easiest decision of my life because I’d be there with my best friend… Chase was a part of my life that I will forever hold close to my heart. He blessed my life for the better and I want to say thank you to his parents, Darlene and Milt Stegall, for raising such an amazing person in Chase.”

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Stegall took to X on Saturday to thank the entire CFL community, TSN and fans for the outpouring of support. Stegall, the CFL’s all-time touchdown leader who played 14 seasons with the Bombers, has been an analyst on the CFL on TSN panel since 2009 and is taking time away from his broadcasting with no timeline for return.

“The love you’ve shown us has been overwhelming, in the best way. It’s reminded us that this league, this family, runs so much deeper than football,” wrote Stegall.

“Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We feel them. And I hope to see you all again soon.”

Winnipeg Football Club president and CEO Wade Miller was in Atlanta for the memorial, and the Bombers will hold a moment of silence for Chase prior to Thursday night’s season-opener at home against the B.C. Lions.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.