21 year old Anthony Guzman, of the Yavapai Bandits, was found dead today when one of his team mates stopped by to pick him up for school. His family, which includes his Bandit family, are devastated by the news. Their game, scheduled for 2/27/10 against the Flagstaff Hitmen, many who also knew Anthony personally and are grieving his loss, has been postponed.
Anthony was especially pumped about the upcoming game with the Hitmen. The two teams had decided to make it a special game to be played each year to determine who would rule the north. His coach, Kurt Dembaugh said that they had put in some special formations just for Anthony in this upcoming game, and that Anthony was especially excited last night at practice, and looking forward to the upcoming game.
Anthony wore jersey #1 on the Bandits team. He was so well respected by his team mates that they voted him in as one of their captains this year. He graduated from Prescott High School in 2007, and played at Scottsdale Community College. He joined the Bandits team and was playing with the goal of going back to college. Coach Dembaugh said that Anthony was one of the nicest people you could meet, the whole team respected and loved him, and he was just a down to earth kind of guy.
He showed respect to the coaches and other players, and to the teams he played against. Coach Dembaugh said Anthony was one of those players that always had positive feedback to give to the coaches and players during a game. Offering up what he saw on the field, but never being negative about his team or the opposing team. Anthony had an extreme passion for the game of football, he loved and lived for the sport.
Anthony was a Sportsman in the truest sense of the word. He loved the competition, he loved the game, and he played to win, but he always played with sportsmanship. He was a true representative of the Arizona Football League and the Yavapai Bandits. He played hard, he hit harder, and he shook your hand at the end of the game win or lose.
Our hearts go out to his family, we are so sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing your son with us. Our hearts go out to his team mates, and friends, we know he was a part of your family as well, and we know you are all grieving, and we grieve with you in the loss of a brother.
Good-by Anthony, you have made our lives richer just by being who you were!
The Bandits have set up a Memorial Fund in Anthony’s name to help the family with the burial expenses. It is at Chase Bank under the name of Yavapai Bandits FBO Anthony Guzman. Account number 879997328
FBO means "For the Benefit Of"
If you would like to make a donation go to any Chase Bank.
Please feel free to make comments below about Anthony and what he meant to you. Kurt and Robbie Dembaugh have invested themselves into the community for kids of all ages. They help players find jobs, housing and also help the youth leagues in the area. They opened Steel City Gym in the Prescott area just so they could do more for the youth leagues and the high school players.