RIP Ricardo Jaquite – 1989-2020

Our deepest condolences go out to the Lisboa Devils, the Portuguese-American football community and the family and loved ones of Ricardo Jaquite who died in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this week.

According to news reports, Jaquite was attacked and stabbed during an argument in his neighborhood in Lisbon – Rua Sociedade Filarmónica União Arrentelense – although details are still sketchy. He died in hospital from his wounds Wednesday night, December 2.

Jaquite was a key member of the Lisbon Devils team that won the Portuguese title in 2016.

The team ran the table in 2016 capturing the Portuguese crown without losing a game and then also won their first international contest. An internationally ranked long jumper and triple jumper, Jaquite impressed his teammate at the time, quarterback Joey Bradley:

One of the most naturally gifted and competitive athletes I have ever been around anywhere. One of the things that impressed me and I remember him most for was he just wanted to play and compete, most “star” attitude guys don’t wanna be on special teams like kickoff, he LOVED it and would go down and try to kill guys.”

He was junior Portuguese champion in 2008 in the triple jump and in 2010 was Under 23 Portuguese champion also in the triple jump. In 2011, he won both the triple jump and long jump.

Jaquite was 31 years old.