Former Dutch Fork football player dies in Florida motorcycle accident

Former Dutch Fork athlete Dexter “D.J.” Monroe, Jr. died in a motorcycle crash in Florida.

According to the Jackson County Floridian, Monroe’s body was found Thursday. The report said the 24-year-old Monroe, who worked for the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee, Fla., had been reported missing since Tuesday when he didn’t show up for work. Authorities said his boss had received a text message early Tuesday morning from Monroe advising that he would be late getting in that day, but he never arrived.

According to authorities, evidence indicated Monroe’s Suzuki motorcycle was eastbound on SR20 when it entered a right-hand curve and traveled off the roadway onto the north shoulder. It then entered the woodline and overturned, ejecting Monroe.

“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of former 2009 football player DJ Monroe,” the Dutch Fork Football Twitter page posted Friday.

Monroe played football, basketball and ran track at Dutch Fork. He was a three-year starter at defensive back and was a two-time captain in football and basketball.

Monroe played college football at Harvard. As a senior in 2013, he recorded 64 tackles, led the team with two interceptions and was a second-team Ivy League selection.

“Our hearts are broken by the news of the loss of DJ Monroe ’13. The Harvard Football Family will never forget him,” Harvard coach Tim Murphy tweeted Friday. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 8:52 PM with the headline "Former Dutch Fork football player dies in Florida motorcycle accident."