Tough times and people are taking it hard:The death of Derek Blacknall(Dudley HS/ECU)

*****CLICK HERE for WRALSportsFan link with quote from ECU coach Ruffin McNeill.*****

People that follow the local sports circles are really taking this one hard today…Just learned of Derek Blacknall’s death while at lunch this afternoon and I remember Derek and Cedric Blacknall from their days with the Dudley Panthers’ football team and Derek later was a regular as a defensive back for the East Carolina Pirates….Big blow to the Dudley Panther football community to lose a young man, who was like a brother to all that he came in contact with…Hard to forget Derek and Cedric in that Dudley backfield back in the day…..

from www.digtriad.com:

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Police have arrested and charged a man for the murder of his brother Monday night at a home.

Officers say they arrived at a home on Willard Street around 10 p.m. and found 24-year-old Derek Blacknall suffering from a wound he received during a dispute.

EMS took Blacknall to a local medical facility where he was later pronounced dead.

According to ECU’s website, Blacknall – a Dudley High School graduate – played on the ECU football team from 2008-2011.

Police have arrested the victim’s brother, 30-year-old Darren Blacknall, who lives in the same residence. Darren Blacknall has been charged with first degree murder.

The investigation is ongoing.

*****from the East Carolina athletics web site on Derek at Dudley:
High School: A four-year letterman and three-year starter who starred as a safety and cornerback for Dudley High School … Earned 2006 Triad 3-A Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year honors after netting 61 tackles, nine pass deflections, a pair of sacks and seven interceptions as a senior … Booked 62 stops and three interceptions for the Panthers as a junior … Filled special teams role as one of program’s top returners, bringing back two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2005 … Wrapped up prep career with three interception returns for scores … Responded positively to perhaps toughest assignment of career, holding North Carolina’s top-rated receiver Dwight Jones (Cummings HS) to only 53 reception yards … Coach was Steven Davis … Ranked No. 56 on the ESPN Recruit Tracker among all national cornerbacks … Has recorded a time of 4.4 in the 40-yard dash … Possesses a 29.0″ vertical leap … Also earned three letters as a track standout, competing primarily in the 100-meter, 200-meter and relay events.*****

CLICK HERE for the link to the East Carolina site and they feature all Derek’s work while he was at ECU and playing football for the Pirates…Link from Brian Hall and DigTriad.com….

What people are saying here at the site after the death of Derek Blacknall:

Terrible Loss said,

My hearts go out to the Dudley family and to the immediate family for the loss of one of their own, Derek Blacknall. Derek and his twin brother Cedric, were standout Football players at Dudley who graduated in 2007(i think). Derek went on to be a standout at ECU. Derek was stabbed and killed last night by his older brother during a domestic dispute.

Witness said,

Cedric and Derek were my teammates ever since the 6th grade. my heart is heavy i cant believe this has happened to a great young man. I feel so bad for cedric. he lost two brothers last night. one to eternity and a greater place. and the other one to life behind bars. Prayers go up to all my fellow dudley panthers who are truly impacted by this tragic loss and especially cedric and Ms. Diane. Players/prayers for the Bass/Blacknall Family

BabyGirlSailor said,

As a neighborhood friend, his grandmother babysat me. Derek and Cedric played football for Lincoln/Hairston Middle and Dudley High while I stood on the sidelines as a cheerleader. I kept in touch with Derek over the past year as I soon left for deployment. We kept in touch through email. Inspirationally keeping my spirits lifted Derek reminded me “Dont change for Nothing”. I love you Derek. My condolences to the Bass/Blacknall family.

lanel said,

I don’t know either but it truly saddens me, because I have a daughter 21 and son 30 both Page students and to lose either one of them to such a tragedy is so painful ,the pain left behind for the family to endure . Violence is not the answer to any problem just WALK AWAY. I PRAY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EVERYDAY TO WAKE UP .TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED AS WE ALL SEE

2 thoughts on “Tough times and people are taking it hard:The death of Derek Blacknall(Dudley HS/ECU)

  1. As a neighborhood friend, his grandmother babysat me. Derek and Cedric played football for Lincoln/Hairston Middle and Dudley High while I stood on the sidelines as a cheerleader. I kept in touch with Derek over the past year as I soon left for deployment. We kept in touch through email. Inspirationally keeping my spirits lifted Derek reminded me “Dont change for Nothing”. I love you Derek. My condolences to the Bass/Blacknall family.

  2. I don’t know either but it truly saddens me, because I have a duaghter 21 and son 30 both Page students and to lose either one of them to such a tragedy is so painful ,the pain left behind for the family to endure . Violence is not the answer to any problem just WALK AWAY. I PRAY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EVERYDAY TO WAKE UP .TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED AS WE ALL SEE

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