David Anders, a veteran high school football official, passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the age of 73.
The Alabama football official, David Anders, died after having a medical emergency during a Mobile County high school game.
73-year-old David Anders suffered from a brain bleed on Thursday, September 18, 2025, after falling backward during the Spanish Fort vs Murphy game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Moreover, Anders was awake on the way to the hospital, and later he suffered medical complications, which caused his death.
David Anders was a former Prichard firefighter and a former youth football and baseball coach.
Furthermore, he served as a District Fire Chief in the Prochard Fire Department for about 25 years.
Anders was a mentor to a large number of officials in the Southwest District and was a beloved figure among them.
Before David started officiating, he coached youth football at Navco Road. He had served as an observer for nearly a decade after he retired from on-field work.
Mobile County Community And Family Mourns The Loss Of David Anders
The entire Mobile County is devastated by the news of David Anders’ death. The community is mourning the loss of their beloved official.
On September 21, 2025, David’s daughter, Robin Anders Orum, announced his passing. She writes,
Our dad, David Anders, has passed on peacefully surrounded by the most love. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate the loss of our Superman
Robin Anders Orum
Furthermore, David Anders’s son, Kevin Anders, who has himself been an official for more than two decades, remembered his father as one of the most selfless people he has ever known. He states,
He’s the most selfless person I’ve ever known. I feel very fortunate to have some of his traits. I don’t know if I’ll ever be as selfless or be the man that he was, but I’m trying. I really am
Kevin Anders
One of the former district chiefs of the fire service, Michael Greene, writes,
Chief Dave was an outstanding leader and an even better person. As my first district chief when I began my career in the fire service, he made a lasting impact on me and so many others. Dave Anders will be greatly missed.
Michael Greene
The Mobile County Public School System also mourns the loss of David Anders and extends prayers to the family.
Furthermore, David Anders was honored at a service from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Ascension Funeral Home in Mobile.
Similarly, Mobile Metro Football officials also held a remembrance ceremony for David Anders, wearing an arm band with “In Memory of JAD” during the pregame. His daughter writes,
It felt so nice to feel close to my dad amongst all his referee family. Dad was most definitely there in spirit and keeping scores as usual
RObin Anders Orum
Additional Information
- David Anders is survived by his wife, Paula Anders; sons Kevin and Zachary Anders; daughter Robin Orum; stepdaughter Eva Doby; brother Richard Anders; and grandchildren.
- Some people pointed out that the uncontrollable crowd on the sidelines could be the cause of his fall, as David Anders fell backward while trying to avoid the play.
