LYNCHBURG (AP/WINA) – First-year Liberty University coach Jamey Chadwell says the death of a freshman football player was not football-related. Chadwell — speaking Friday publicly for the first time since learning of the death — said the team learned of the passing of 19-year-old Tajh Boyd of Chesapeake Saturday. He declined to give further details about Boyd’s death, saying he wanted to respect the privacy of the player’s family.

Chadwell says the team held a service for Boyd on Sunday, and that rain fell following the service. After that, he said, a rainbow appeared over the stadium.

He said he had spoken with UVa head coach Tony Elliott.

“He did reach out and sent some words of encouragement. It was much needed during a challenging time.”