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
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
155 comments Add your comment
joe white
December 30th, 2011
8:14 am
My prayers are with you and your family chris. Your wife had to a good woman cause your a great man love what you do for the community. RIP
Falcon Red
December 30th, 2011
8:16 am
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Chris.
Jimmy Crack
December 30th, 2011
8:26 am
Many of us remember you, Chris. We are saddened by your loss. Be well.
Courtney
December 30th, 2011
8:32 am
Read more here
http://www.courtneyluv.com/former-nfler-chris-draft-loses-wife-keasha-to-cancer-one-month-after-their-wedding/
GTJohn
December 30th, 2011
8:37 am
Why don’t you write more about Chris and athletes like him instead of the ones being arrested? Sounds like an excellent role model as opposed to the gansta types you continuously put on the front pages.
Rosie
December 30th, 2011
8:59 am
May the good Lord comfort you Chris. This must be hard but remember God will never leave you nor forsake you. May she Rest in peace where she will never be in pain.
Pool guy
December 30th, 2011
9:05 am
My condolences.
Sid
December 30th, 2011
9:12 am
That’s sad, especially to lose someone during these holy and festive times. Chris, you’ve given as an athlete and community leader, may your heart heal soon and your spirit soar. Rest in Peace LaKeasha.
*****************************************************
Early detection of breast and cervical cancer is so important, remind your lady friends to get that examination like they are supposed to. And gentlemen, if you don’t know your PSA number you’re playing Russian roulette.
JustCurious
December 30th, 2011
9:13 am
@Truth on 12-29-2011
Condolences to Chris Draft and your comments about the Blasphemer are two different issues. I searched for Blasphemer’s blog entry and could not locate it prior to your entry. Just wondered why you went off on an entry that wasn’t there? In your opnion I guess everyone but you is a POS.
GrannyCares
December 30th, 2011
9:14 am
Thoughts and prayers to this GOOD MAN and his family!
Don Dadda
December 30th, 2011
9:24 am
Everyone,just ignore the LONE jerk who has no sympathy for Mr.Draft ! That person doesn’t even deserve THAT much attention ! Condolences and well wishes to Chris and his extended family during their time of grievance.May God bless you all !!
RIP Mrs. Draft
December 30th, 2011
9:25 am
I read this on another site yesterday and viewed the youtube videos of their wedding and a montage of her life… It made me cry..cry..cry… She seemed like a beautiful person.. You can tell by all the love that surrounded her… and her smile was infectious… I pray she lived a full life.. and I pray for those she left behind… R.I.P.
Sid
December 30th, 2011
9:30 am
Courtney
December 30th, 2011
8:32 am
********************************************
Thanks for posting that link.
RB
December 30th, 2011
9:34 am
May Keasha rest in peace.
RB
December 30th, 2011
9:35 am
Correction, Lakeasha.
Sid
December 30th, 2011
9:35 am
JustCurious December 30th, 2011 9:13 am
Just wondered why you went off on an entry that wasn’t there?
******************************************
Do ya think that just maybe the link was deleted before you saw it……….? This isn’t a blog right now, it’s an “In Memoriam”.
Pandora
December 30th, 2011
10:02 am
I pray your wife was saved..if she was then her spirit is in the presence of the Lord. My prayers are with you and your family. God Bless You.
Runnin with the Dawgs
December 30th, 2011
10:07 am
I always remember an old saying my Grandad had when the younger folks in the community passed on. “Only the good die young”. I’m so sorry for your loss!
Cochsner
December 30th, 2011
10:21 am
What a beautiful and inspiring young couple.This is what real love is all about. RIP my lovely young lady. And young man you stay strong and keep being the prince in life you wife fell in love with. She’s watching! God Bless!
BIRDSFLYHIGH
December 30th, 2011
10:33 am
I have personally met Chris Draft & this guy is a great guy!!! God bless you & your family bruh!!!!
southerngurl
December 30th, 2011
10:52 am
RIP LeKeasha. God bless you Chris.
Ant
December 30th, 2011
10:59 am
My condolences to Chris and the family.Always remember the good times.
Richard Phillips
December 30th, 2011
11:04 am
Chris, I am very sorry to hear about your loss!. Please understand that she was hear on loan from god. He needed her to come home. Stay strong!
I give my respects
December 30th, 2011
11:13 am
I want to give my respects to Chris and the family.
I watched the wedding video and you can just tell that she had a beautiful spirit inside as outside.
I am very sorry for your loss and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
TLB
December 30th, 2011
11:16 am
God will give you the strength to move on during this difficult time, Mr. Draft. Your deeds show that you are a fine person. You were indeed blessed to have each other and share love.
hiway skipper
December 30th, 2011
11:28 am
My god be with you and your family; most of all stay prayed up GOD SPEED
Stacey Black
December 30th, 2011
11:49 am
Chris I don’t know you personally but my heart goes out to you and your family! I watched the wedding video and couldn’t help but cry. You’re an amazing man and your wife was a very beautiful woman. The love that you two bestowed upon one another is breathtaking. Look to God for strength. I’m sure Keasha is at peace. You gave her the greatest gift of all. Your Love. I’ll continue to pray for you and your wife’s family. Blessings
BravesFan79
December 30th, 2011
11:50 am
I remember Chris Draft, he was a pretty good player. God bless you family bro.
Falcons25/8
December 30th, 2011
11:55 am
So sorry for your loss.
Elle
December 30th, 2011
11:56 am
Stacey, your thoughts are so lovely, I’d like to second them.
whiteboy
December 30th, 2011
12:11 pm
I agree with MeaneyMouse!
Stinkin' dog
December 30th, 2011
12:13 pm
Thoughts and prayers to Chris and his family.
XENA
December 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
What a wonderful gift of a wedding you gave her and the memories will always be in your heart. God bless you
Sylvia
December 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
May God bless you Chris and your family during your time of bereavement. God will keep you in perfect peace and will give you the comfort and strength that you need to move forward. Remember even though your loved one is not physically here she will live forever in your hearts and your minds. May God feel the void that has been left in your lives and may you be blessed.
rbessix
December 30th, 2011
12:33 pm
I learned of this through the very touching video. I had no idea who he was, but the love they shared poured out in that video. My husband has stuck with me throughout my diagnosis, treatment and now (thank God) remission. The prognosis wasn’t good, but God has the final say. God bless you Chris Draft. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and those lives Lakeasha touched. She is now at peace.
Frederick
December 30th, 2011
1:25 pm
God Bless the family and friends of the Draft.. RIP dear beloved child of God..
edward woods
December 30th, 2011
1:33 pm
my sincere codolense,s to the entire family, yes if it had not been for the fame of mr chris draft a n.f.l player for many years and good player i might add this story would not have ever been printed but sense it has my thoughts are that the story should have reflected the life of mrs.lakeasha draft reporters wake up you droped the ball on this one at this time of greef who cares what team and how many years chris draft played, touch on the good things his wife contribute to her family and friends along with what she has done in the commnuity nothing else. all aside thanks for mentioning her departure.
Jeo1sao
December 30th, 2011
1:43 pm
To The Family and Friends of Chris Draft,
My deepest prayers are with you and yours. May all the pleasant memories, well wishes, cards, internet messages and visits continue to help you through this difficult time, and may you find comfort. May the thoughts @ Isaiah 41:10, bring you comfort as well it says: 10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
With Deepest Sympathy
A.O. Georgia
lee m
December 30th, 2011
1:44 pm
our sincere condolences to the entire Draft family. also, lets not let ourselves sink to the level of ignorance and classlessness that some folks feel like spewing. we are honoring a lost human being and nothing we say to someone who is heartless is going to change them.
i think the thing that struck me the most is that CD is perceived as a better human being than a football player.
i think he considers it a very high compliment.
i know i would.
Agnew Family from Williamston, South Carolina
December 30th, 2011
1:46 pm
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Beautiful Wife and Daughter. God Bless the Draft Family and Rutledge Family! Our Prayers go out to The Family’s
An Online Resource for News & Entertainment | Infinite Information & Advertising Services
December 30th, 2011
1:56 pm
[...] December 27, LaKeasha Rutledge-Draft lost her battle to cancer. In a video posted from the November ceremony, the bride, ailing and in a wheelchair, is seen [...]
Eva
December 30th, 2011
2:21 pm
My prayers are with both families..Stay strong Chris! She got a chance to experience her “Dream Wedding”. She was a beautiful lady…RIP Keasha!
B'Red
December 30th, 2011
2:49 pm
May God bless you and keep you.
Jules
December 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
I just saw the video from their Wedding, and I’m in tears and speechless. Words really can’t express my sympathy for Chris and both families. You are in my Prayers, and May God Bless you and give you strength during this time of grieving. Chris, you are an awesome man and know that God has his hand on you and will provide comfort and Peace when you need him.
San
December 30th, 2011
3:14 pm
May God comfort you and give you peace in these trying times.
Asked that JC post be removed
December 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
I can only imagine the pain the family and Mr. Draft is going through. It hurts when you lose a loved one. I asked that JC’s post be removed because it just went against the grain of what this forum is about. I have been married for 36 years and I am sure the one month was just as precious to Mr.Draft. Its time to think of how others feel and how they hurt. It is not a time to be an idiot. Mr. Draft and family please accept the condolence of the rest of us as genuine and know that you are in our prayers.
Anthony Quinn
December 30th, 2011
3:52 pm
Enter your comments here
TCBATL
December 30th, 2011
4:19 pm
Enter your comments here
Kim Montgomery
December 30th, 2011
4:42 pm
To God Be The Glory (TGBTG) To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!! My prayers and condolences are with you and your family, however God is always with you and your family!!
Kim Montgomery
December 30th, 2011
4:49 pm
To God Be The Glory(TGBTG)!! To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!! My condolences and heartfelt sympathy are with you and your family. Remember God is with you and your family through it all!!