Former Saguaro football player Jelani Newman dies in motorcyle crash

Jelani Newman, a former Saguaro High School offensive lineman, passed away in a motorcycle accident on September 12. He was 25 years old. Newman had starred on Saguaro's 2018 4A state championship football team. He later played at San Jose State from 2019 to 2022. Saguaro honored him with a social media post featuring him in his No. 72 jersey.

Offensive line coach Mark Martinez remembered Newman as a kind, giving individual who had aspirations of joining the military. He and Newman had a close relationship, often going fishing together. Newman's family, including his grandmother Nancy McGee Newman, expressed their devastation over his loss, emphasizing his giving and loving nature. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist the family with funeral and burial expenses.