Nicholls-Northwestern game canceled due to death of Demons football player

The Nicholls-Northwestern State University football game scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday in Thibodaux has been cancelled due to the death of a Demons football player.

Ronnie Caldwell Jr., a junior defensive back on the Northwestern State team, was identified by the Natchitoches Police Department as the victim of a fatal early-morning shoot Thursday at the Quad Apartments on University Parkway in Natchitoches, the Natchitoches Journal reported.

“We are saddened by the news and our thoughts are with the Northwestern State program.  At this time, our main focus is supporting Northwestern State as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy,” Jonathan Terrell, Nicholls Vice President of Collegiate Athletics and Athletics Director, said in a statement released by Nicholls. “As we always say here, we’re in this together, and that extends to our friends and colleagues at Northwestern State.”

Caldwell, 21, a native of Austin, Texas, transferred to Northwestern State from Tyler Junior College following the 2021 season.

“The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss,” Northwestern State football coach Brad Laird said in a statement released by the university. “Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field. He was our voice in the locker room. When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident. He did not play a snap this year because of an injury, but his voice resonated with every member of our team from the first player to the 115th on our roster.
 
“Our hearts are broken and ache for Ronnie’s family and friends. His loss will be felt here at Northwestern State, in Natchitoches and in his home. We will treasure the time we spent with Ronnie and the memories we made, and we will hold him and his family in our hearts as we attempt to move forward in the days and weeks ahead.”

Caldwell appeared in eleven games in the 2022 season, starting 10. He had not seen action in 2023 due to an injury sustained in preseason practice.