Former RCC Football Player, Abraham Reinhardt, Passes Away at Age 23

The Riverside City College athletic department holds a heavy, aching heart as we regret to inform the unexpected passing of former RCC football player Abraham Reinhardt. He was 23 years old.

Reinhardt, who committed to Dixie State University in 2018 after two years with the Tigers, reported to the first spring practice for the Trailblazer's early last week. After participating in seven-on-seven drills, he suffered an upper leg injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the workout.

Several hours later, Reinhardt passed away due to a disease called Hyponatremia. The disease refers to a low level of sodium in the blood stream. The episode caused a number of intense muscles spasms which quickly triggered several seizures causing immediate brain swelling, thus resulting in his death.  

Reinhardt was a two-year student-athlete for the Tigers and had a huge impact in the success of the 2013 and 2015 campaigns.

"He was a leader in his own right," said Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator James Kuk. "He was well-liked and tough. He had a respectable demeanor with a quiet, respectable strength. He was such an amazing kid and will truly be missed."

In 2013, the Wailuku, HI native played defensive back and ranked eighth on the Riverside defense with 44 total tackles to equate to a 4.9 tackles-per-game mark. He recorded five tackles for a loss while recording one interception and two pass break ups. He returned to the program in 2015 as a linebacker after a medical red shirt year and picked up right where he left off. He recorded 56 tackles ranking third on the team which equaled a 5.1 tackles-per-game mark. He recovered one fumble and recorded an interception and two pass break ups.

Throughout his two-year career, Reinhardt recorded five or more tackles in 14 games highlighted by an eight tackle game in a win over Ventura in the 2013 season opener.

Reinhardt had several Division I offers after his 2015 campaign, but decided to go home and support his family in Hawaii while continuing to go to school. He then settled on Dixie State University in 2018 and experienced endless success. He was named a starting linebacker and lead his team with 79 tackles. He was named to the 2018 First-Team All-Rocky Mountain team and was expected to be a defensive leader for the squad in 2019.

Reinhardt entered into his senior year to pursue a career as a Radiology Technician. His family has set up an official GoFund me page. Please follow this link to donate.