UNT statement on passing of Josh Rake

Tragic, awful night for the UNT community and the family of freshman wide receiver Josh Rake. This and other accidents that too often take young lives just breaks your heart, especially if you're a parent. Prayers from TMGR to Rake's family, teammates, coaches and friends. Here's text of UNT statement:

North Texas Mourns Loss of Josh Rake

DENTON, Texas -- University of North Texas football player Josh Rake died early Friday evening from injuries he suffered in an automobile accident Thursday. Rake was a freshman wide receiver for North Texas after joining the team in September as a walk-on. He was 20.   

“It is with deep sadness and tremendous grief that have learned of the death of a member of the North Texas family, Josh Rake,” Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rake family and we will all come together in this time of loss to use Josh’s memory as an inspiration to carry on during this difficult time.”       

Rake played for Dodge as a freshman and sophomore at nearby Southlake Carroll high school, where he graduated from in 2009. The North Texas football team will wear helmet stickers with the initials JR for its game with Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday night in Denton.   

“We have lost a fine young man in Josh Rake,” UNT coach Todd Dodge said. “Josh was so much more than just teammate to these players and a student-athlete to this coaching staff. He was a friend and a tremendous representative of this program and the University of North Texas. We will continue this season with very heavy hearts and will use his memory as motivation to carry on throughout the remainder of the season. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Josh’s family. He will be dearly missed.”