NFL Player Ronyell Whitaker Saves 4 Lives Through Organ Donations After His Death at 46

Ronyell Whitaker in 2007 Credit: Getty NEED TO KNOW Ronyell Whitaker’s family honored his wish to donate his organs, helping save four lives and advancing medical science Whitaker was a high school football coach and mentor who stayed in Minnesota after his NFL career to support his community His partner, Laurie Charboneau, now advocates for organ donation, inspired by his legacy and the work of the M Health Fairview Donor Care Unit Late NFL player Ronyell Whitaker was known for his leadership on the field, and now he is being remembered for helping save the lives of four people through organ donation. Whitaker died on Feb. 22 at 46, his family announced in a statement released by his former team, the Minnesota Vikings.

“A gifted athlete, he proudly played high school football for Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia, and college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies, where his talent, determination and leadership on the field made a lasting impact,” his family said at the time. Now, two months later, his partner Laurie Charboneau has revealed that Whitaker chose to have his organs donated. He remained on life support in the M Health Fairview Donor Care Unit while their team sought opportunities for his organs to save lives.

Ronyell Whitaker in 2006 Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty “Ronyell loved coaching high school kids,” Charboneau told M Health Fairview on Wednesday, April 29. “He would introduce himself to the parents and say, ‘I’m not just their coach for football. I’m their mentor, so if the kids ever have something going on, I’m here.

’ He always wanted to help in any way, and I’m sure he felt the same way when he checked the box to be an organ donor. ” Whitaker “would be very excited to know that his, his life continued on,” Charboneau told KARE in another interview published on April 29. She said he “loved his family and he loved this community.