Charles “Ace” Rogers, a 31-year-old former college football player, tragically passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, while running the Brooklyn Half Marathon in New York City.
Rogers suffered a cardiac arrest around mile eight of the 13.1-mile race and collapsed near Ocean Parkway and 18th Avenue.
Emergency services quickly responded, performing CPR and rushing him to Maimonides Medical Center, but he didn’t make it.
Charles Rogers is survived by his wife, Sydney Rogers, his parents, Teresa Jordan and Charles Rogers, and his family.
Sydney and Charles Rogers were engaged on December 4, 2020; however, their marriage details remain unknown.
Both Sydney and Charles were active in the running community.
Charles ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon to support Team for Kids, a New York Road Runners (NYRR) charity that funds fitness programs for young people. Sydney herself had run the New York City Marathon in 2022 to raise money for the same cause.
The couple lived in New York while showing commitment to helping others through running.
Following his untimely death, Sydney spoke about her husband’s passion, saying:
Charles put everything he had into everything he did. While he leaves behind a wife and family that already miss him terribly, he loved being competitive and left us being 100 percent himself.
Sydney Rogers
Ashley Squires, Sydney’s sister and Rogers’ sister-in-law, created a GoFundMe to support Sydney during this difficult time. She wrote:
We’re devastated to share that Sydney’s husband, Charlie, tragically passed away this weekend from cardiac arrest while running the Brooklyn NY Half Marathon. Charlie and Syd lived a very active and healthy lifestyle making this tragic event especially unimaginable.
Ashley Squires
Likewise, Charles Rogers’ sister, Tiffany Bass, also started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs for a memorial service in his hometown of Iowa City, Iowa.
She wrote, “I am determined to organize a ‘bomb’ memorial service in Charles’ hometown where he was raised, went to school, and built lifelong friendships.”
Charles Rogers was a talented athlete who played as a defensive back for Iowa State University starting in 2012, later transferring to the University of Minnesota in 2015.
After an injury cut his time with the Minnesota Golden Gophers short, he played his final college season at Lindenwood University in Missouri in 2017.
Rogers was also a standout track athlete in high school, winning Iowa state championships in hurdles.
Since 2020, Rogers had been working as a small business specialist for Verizon in New York City.
The New York Road Runners, who organized the race, expressed their sadness in a statement:
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of one of today’s race participants. On behalf of the whole running community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
The University of Minnesota football team shared their grief on Instagram, saying,
Our hearts are broken as former Gopher Charles Rogers tragically passed over the weekend while running the Brooklyn Marathon. Our thoughts are with the Rogers family and all of his loved ones.
The funeral details about Charles Rogers remain yet to be published by his family.
During this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Roger’s wife, parents, siblings, and extended family.
Rest In Peace, Charles Rogers!
