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Hundreds gather at vigil for youth football coach killed leaving practice
CINCINNATI — Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday, remembering a youth football coach that was gunned down in front of his team.
Jermaine Knox, 37, was a pillar in the College Hill community.
Those who knew him best would call him "Coach Maine" or "King Maine." He was the beloved coach of the Trojan Black team.
Knox's practice Tuesday night would be his last. Cincinnati police said he was shot shortly after the final whistle and died at the scene in the 1700 block of Larch Avenue. Another man was shot, but he is expected to recover from his injuries.
On Wednesday, family, friends, and young athletes wore familiar colors and came together for a vigil on the same field Knox coached. People clutched balloons or signs that read "King Maine."
"He's going to be truly missed," one person at the vigil said. "Good man. I can't say anything bad about him because he didn't have a bad bone, and he had a good heart."
Knox was known for his love for the game, but his true passion was mentoring the kids. He helped them grow as players and taught them how to become men off the field.
"If you knew Maine, you knew he loved every last one of these kids," a person at the vigil said. "There isn't anything he wouldn't do for anyone."
His easy smile, compassion, grit, and determination proved to be the keys to his nationally-ranked youth football team's success.
"The one this about Jermaine, he loved this team with his heart and soul," one person at the vigil said. "I only got one wish for the Trojan Black organization: to keep it going the same way he would."
The field where Knox coached is one of memories, wins, losses, and now pain. The heartbroken community came together as one honoring him but they say his legacy lived on in everyone he coached.
"He was the rock, but we're bringing this family, community, and everybody we are coming together," one person at the vigil said.
At the vigil, people shared stories of Knox, said a prayer, lit candles, and released dozens of balloons into the sky.
He leaves behind a family whom he loved dearly.
The shooting is still under investigation. Police ask anyone with information on the suspects to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
