Ex-Falcon Chris Draft is mourning the loss of his wife
Chris Draft
Former Falcons linebacker Chris Draft is mourning the loss of his wife LaKeasha Monique Rutledge Draft, who passed away on Tuesday after a battle with cancer.
Draft made this post on his website, “My wife, (La)Keasha Monique Rutledge Draft passed away today at 12:04 pm. RIP Sweetie.”
Draft’s media manager, Sidmel Estes, confirmed the passing and stated that the services will be held in South Carolina on Saturday at 1 p.m. with Pastor Olu Brown, of Impact United Methodist Church in Atlanta, officiating. Also, Edwin Turnipseed, a support pastor at Impact, will participate in the ceremony.
Draft , a sixth-round pick out of Stanford by the Chicago Bears in 1998, went on to play 12 years in the NFL. He played for the Falcons from 2000 to 2004. He also played for San Francisco, Carolina, St. Louis and Buffalo.
The civic minded Draft, a California native who elected to make Atlanta his home, has been a tireless worker with kids in the community through his foundation.
He also has been a popular speaker at the NFL Rookie Symposium, where veteran players talk to the new players coming into the league about the pitfalls of pro football.
Back in 2002, Draft helped pull a man from a burning car on Interstate-85 in Duluth, Ga.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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155 comments Add your comment
FED UP
December 29th, 2011
8:07 pm
May God grant you all the peace and strength you need in your time of need, with comfort to the entire family, you are in my prayers
Michelle
December 29th, 2011
8:13 pm
Wow. What kind of cancer takes a young woman like that?
zgoldatl
December 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Very sorry for your loss sir. Losing a loved one certainly put things in perspective. May G-d help you to find peace. G-d bless
KT
December 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
Keasha, I’m so sorry for your loss and that you didn’t get an opportunity to experience anything better…
Jake
December 29th, 2011
8:20 pm
RIP and my heart goes out to you Chris.
Guest book:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=lakeasah-rutledge-draft&pid=155248145
Toya
December 29th, 2011
8:21 pm
My prayers are with u and ur family in this saddened time! Be encouraged!
Marla
December 29th, 2011
8:36 pm
Dear Chris,
I am very sorry to hear about Keasha passing away. My prayers are with you & your family.
I lost my husband Steven A. Jones to cancer in October 2000 & it is very hard, but may you find comfort in the Lord. On my bad days I try to remember all the good times me & Steve had.
God Bless you.
Tamisha
December 29th, 2011
8:37 pm
So very sorry for your loss! You are in our prayers!
Indira Lindsay Roberts
December 29th, 2011
8:51 pm
I had the pleasure of working with Keasha at Sanofi. She was soooo charismatic and hysterical! She always cracked me up! It has been years since I have spoken with her. I think the last time I saw her was at Ruth’s Chris in Charlotte during the CIAA a few years back.
Keasha, I’m just finding out about your illness and it has saddened me to my core. But the agape love you and Chris shared should be an example for ALL. So you have left a beautiful legacy for people to model after. On behalf of everyone who concurs with my thoughts, thanks for the lesson.
John
December 29th, 2011
9:03 pm
God Bless You ad your family.
John
December 29th, 2011
9:11 pm
May Gd Bless you and your family and rest assured that your wife is resting in the Loving embrace of Our Heavenly Father
PMC
December 29th, 2011
9:16 pm
Prayers and comforts to you and your family Mr. Draft.
falcon
December 29th, 2011
9:25 pm
Prayers for your family CD.
Mrs B. Griffin and Wayne
December 29th, 2011
9:30 pm
Chris,
Our prayers are with you and your family through this difficult event. It is a joy to have met your ANGEL! Continue your life’s work as you are led.
Love always,
You’re Winship Family
Bw
December 29th, 2011
9:39 pm
God is love and your Beautiful wife is now in heaven.You will be together again..RIP!
Hello? Anybody home?
December 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
My deepest sympathies to you and your family, Mr. Draft.
jonk
December 29th, 2011
9:52 pm
Draft, i m always yr fan since you were with the falcons and im sorry on your loss of your love one, may god bless her beautiful soul in heaven.
Ex-Falcon Chris Draft is mourning the loss of his wife | football-feed.com
December 29th, 2011
9:56 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read moreSee more stories on Google: read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
Sunset Lee
December 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
RIP Keasha
Mitch Evans
December 29th, 2011
10:07 pm
Chris Draft was a great guy to talk to during my years covering the team, and I am so sorry for his loss.
V. Wilson From Ft.Worth, Tx.
December 29th, 2011
10:08 pm
Sorry for your loss may God keep you and bless you.
bigred
December 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
I learned a long time ago that trying to win an argument with an IDIOT like JC or Blasphemer is a losing cause. They will bring you down to their level and BEAT you to DEATH with experience. That said, Chris Draft may God Bless you and your family during this time of loss. One day at a time my friend, one day at a time!
Dr. Phil
December 29th, 2011
10:26 pm
Chris is a good representative of professional sports. It is a sad loss. Good luck to Chris in the future, and please continue with your work in the community.
T Knight
December 29th, 2011
10:30 pm
Prayers of comfort and peace for the Draft family.
Kim
December 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
What an inspirational couple. God bless this family and give them comfort….
savannahfalcon
December 29th, 2011
10:44 pm
will be praying for you and your family Chris
Cancer Warrior
December 29th, 2011
10:45 pm
Does anyone know what type of cancer she passed away from? So sad. But I’m sure her wedding was a beautiful time in her life and she is smiling on Chris from Heaven.
A nobody
December 29th, 2011
10:50 pm
I’m not typically a big fan of pro athletes, but Chris Darft isn’t the typcial athlete, so I’ve always admired him. God bless him and his family. Hang tough.
Greg Kirkland
December 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
Prayers for you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Florida Guy
December 29th, 2011
11:49 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. I know words are useless, but I do hope that God comforts you during this sad and trying time.
itpdude
December 29th, 2011
11:51 pm
I don’t know if you read this stuff, but my best to you in these hard-times, man.
CDOG
December 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
CHRIS, ASK JESUS FOR STRENGTH. I LOVE YOU.EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.
PaulieOldSchool
December 30th, 2011
12:01 am
My most sincere condolences, Mr. Draft, on the loss of your wife. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
dandydawg
December 30th, 2011
12:25 am
May God’s light shine upon you during this time. His works can be seen in you. I know this is a difficult time, but we all have your back!!! Your wife is resting now… in the arms of our Lord! You, Chris, have shown us the true gift of life, which is LOVE! May you find peace during this hour of darkness. Rest in Peace, LaKeasha.
DR. FALCON
December 30th, 2011
12:34 am
GOD BLESS HER SOUL!!! ALL FALCON FANS FEEL YOUR PAIN! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU, CHRIS!!!
Sidney H
December 30th, 2011
12:42 am
I’ll miss my cousin Keasha’s laughter and smile. Things were always more fun when she was around because of her bright personality, and I believe heaven is now a little brighter because she’s there.
Eronica Williams
December 30th, 2011
12:58 am
My heart goes out to you Mr. Draft and the family. May God wrap his arms around you and the family and keep you comforted during this time….. RIP Keasha.
TJB
December 30th, 2011
1:22 am
The video of the Draft’s wedding was beautiful and moving. It really makes me appreciate the great wife that I have been blessed for 5 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of the Draft family…. John 5:28,29.
Aprill Smith
December 30th, 2011
2:10 am
Chris Draft and the Rutledge family….My sincerest, heartfelt condolences to the entire family. I have a past with the ugly disease of cancer as a survivor. I will spend my life fighting for a cure for this destructive disease. I pray for complete restoration and peace for you,Chris and the Rutledge family. Blessings,Peace & Love!
mark
December 30th, 2011
3:25 am
God bless you and your family Mr. Draft. God will give you the strength to endure this sad time.
Kyle
December 30th, 2011
3:49 am
Dear Mr. Draft,
The video of your wedding was both beautiful and touching. I’ve been a Falcons fan my entire life. Although you were a terrific football player, you have proven that you are an even better man. I’m truly sorry for your loss. I haven’t experienced the loss of a wife but my father did die of a heart attack last year at 69, I understand have difficult it is to lose someone so close to you. God loves you and your family and so do I. I will pray that everyone close to her will find peace and that
Kyle
December 30th, 2011
3:51 am
she is in a better place.
Saabotager
December 30th, 2011
4:12 am
God bless the Draft family.
Ex-Falcon Chris Draft is mourning the loss of his wife – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) - San Francisco Luxury Living | San Francisco Luxury Living
December 30th, 2011
4:47 am
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Rey
December 30th, 2011
6:21 am
Sir my prayers go out to you and your wife’s family. I too lost my wife due to a disease and its not easy. Life loses its luster, its color and a part of you is gone. You will rise again and God has a plan for you. I have been able to speak to many about my sorrow and victories with God’s help. I believe he uses me in that way. You to will be made whole again! You will know when that time will be along with GOD. No else can tell you when that time is. Grieve and find that something to live for again!!!! May God bless you Chris. reyxuarez@bellsouth.net
RJ's Wife
December 30th, 2011
6:48 am
May our God continue to comfort you with peace, smile & wonderful memories of your Wife. I’m so sorry for your loss just remember all the ‘good times’ you two had together; and they will surely make you smile. Stay Bless Mr. Draft
Ralph
December 30th, 2011
7:05 am
I grew up with Chris Draft on the west coast. He and his family are a rare gem in todays society. God bless you Chris during this trying time and may your wife be at peace with the lord above.
Samuel
December 30th, 2011
7:35 am
God bless you Chis Draft and may your wife rest in peace.
Chuckie Cheese
December 30th, 2011
7:42 am
Chris you are an awesome guy. My prayers are with you and may your wife rest in peace.
chuck
December 30th, 2011
7:56 am
i too lost my wife to thes dreaded disease 15 years ago
i will pray for you and your/her family