Ohio State football star injured in off-campus shooting after NCAA Tournament game, school says
Ohio State Buckeyes men’s soccer quarterback Nathan Demian was accidentally injured in an off-campus shooting after the team advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament, the school said in a statement Monday.
Demian was injured in the shooting around 2 am ET. Columbus police say two cars were chasing each other and shooting at each other when Demian was hit, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Ohio State defensive end Nathan Demian takes the field before the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game against Wake Forest, Dec. 7, 2024, Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Magn Images)
He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Demian was expected to survive. No suspects were immediately identified.
The school said Demian was an “innocent person” and was not involved in the altercation.
“The football program is extremely grateful for the incredible support of the university and the medical care available to Nathan and his family during this difficult time,” the school said in a statement. “Nathan’s family is with him and the team is very close. The family has asked that everyone keep Nathan in their prayers. The department will do everything it can to support Nathan, his family and the men’s soccer program in every way possible.”
“Due to the ongoing police investigation, the department will not be able to talk more about this incident.
PHIL MICKELSON APPLAUSES DANIEL PENNY JURY FOR ACQUITITION: ‘A LITTLE NORMAL FEELING’
Demian, from Canada, will not be in the NCAA College Cup semifinals against Marshall. The shooting happened after the team beat Wake Forest in the Elite Eight.
Ohio State defensive end Nathan Demian is shown during the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game, Dec. 7, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Magn Images)
“We’re going to miss him on the field. But he’s a great guy,” Ohio State coach Brian Maisonneuve told reporters Monday. “He’s definitely making everyone practice in the games as well. He’s got a great voice. He’s a character in the best way. And, like I said, his game speaks for itself. He’s a competitor, and it’s going to be hard not to have him there.”
Demian is a redhead from Vancouver. He was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Conference in 2022 and 2023 and was named to the Wolstein Classic All-Tournament Team in 2022.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
He missed his entire junior year due to injury.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
