Donovan Munger’s parents, Deidra Sanders and Carl Munger, raised him with love, faith, and support.
Highlights
- Munger was a talented defensive tackle for Ohio State, but his promising career was cut short due to a pulmonary embolism and recurring blood clot issues, ultimately forcing him to step away from football in 2016.
- His parents, Deidra Sanders and Carl Munger, provided immense support throughout his life, from nurturing his football dreams to helping him navigate his health battles.
- His grandfather, a pastor, emphasized the importance of academics, while his mother taught him to always be prepared for life’s next steps, lessons that helped him face adversity with strength.
Former Ohio State defensive tackle Donovan Munger has died at the age of 30.
His mother, Deidra Sanders, announced his passing on Instagram. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Sanders wrote,
“My heart will never beat the same. It is with my deepest sadness that I formally announce to the world the passing of my eldest child Donovan Munger. Pray for my family.”
Instagram
Munger played a significant role in Ohio State’s football program.
He joined the Buckeyes as a four-star recruit from Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland in 2013.
Munger contributed to the team’s success during their 2014 national championship season, appearing in 11 games.
His promising career faced serious challenges due to health issues.
Munger redshirted his freshman season after doctors diagnosed him with a pulmonary embolism.
Blood clots in his lungs threatened not just his athletic career but his overall health.
Despite these obstacles, Munger persevered. He returned to play 12 games in the 2015 season.
Unfortunately, his recurring blood clot condition forced him to end his football career in 2016.
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson addressed Munger’s situation in 2016. He said,
“It’s tough. You put your whole life into playing this game of football and you love it so much and then it gets taken away from you.”
Cleveland
He noted that Munger understood the decision was best for his health.
During his time with the Buckeyes, Munger recorded five tackles, including one tackle for loss.
He showed tremendous potential when healthy, displaying the ability to be a disruptive force on the defensive line.
Through Triumphs and Trials, Deidra Sanders and Carl Munger Stood by Their Son, Donovan Munger
Donovan Munger came from a tight-knit, faith-filled family.
As the oldest child and oldest grandchild, he received tremendous support from his parents, Deidra Sanders and Carl Munger.
Deidra Sanders played a crucial role in Donovan’s life and development.
She recognized how football shaped her son’s character. Talking about her son’s relationship with the sport, she said,
“It’s not just something that he does, it’s something that he is.”
Cleveland
When Donovan faced his health crisis, Sanders demonstrated remarkable strength.
She shut out negative thoughts and supported her son through the difficult time. She reflected,
“That might have been the moment when I saw my son become a man. I had to truly value the things he was saying to me as a man, and I had to respect those things.”
Cleveland
Sanders regularly celebrated her firstborn son on social media. Just a month before his passing, she marked his 30th birthday on Instagram.
“This is 30. Happy birthday to my young man. One of one. The eldest of my 4.”
Instagram
She described him as
“a mighty man of Valor with the spirit of Caleb and the influence of Joseph.”
Instagram
Carl Munger, Donovan’s father, attended Far Rockaway High School in Far Rockaway.
While less information is available about Carl, he remained a supportive presence in his son’s life.
Dr. C. Jay Matthews, Donovan’s grandfather and senior pastor at Mt. Sinai Ministries in Cleveland, provided spiritual guidance.
Before Donovan committed to Ohio State, Matthews had a meaningful conversation with him. Matthews said,
“Don’t get me wrong .Football is an extremely important part of his life. But he was very sober about the fact that going to college, the most important thing was education.”
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This emphasis on education reflected the values Donovan’s parents instilled in him.
Sanders taught her son that
“nothing lasts forever. You always have to be prepared for the next step.”
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This wisdom applied both to his medical challenges and beyond.
The family’s strong faith helped them navigate Donovan’s health struggles. Sanders called it a “test of our faith.” Their religious foundation provided comfort during uncertain times.
As parents of four children, with Donovan being the eldest, Deidra and Carl created a supportive environment.
They encouraged Donovan to mentor his younger siblings. The entire family showed up for one another. As Matthews put it, “whatever he does, we’re all there.“
When Donovan woke up at 4 a.m. in the summer of 2013 feeling “like knives were stabbing him in the chest,” his parents stood by him.
They helped him process the devastating news that his football career might end before it truly began.
Their support extended throughout his recovery. Donovan spent six months on blood thinners and focused on cardio work and weight training. His parents’ encouragement helped him maintain a positive outlook.
Donovan’s mother took pride in watching her son mature through adversity. The experience strengthened their relationship and revealed his resilience.
The love between Donovan and his parents remained evident in Sanders’ birthday messages to her son.
In 2023, she wrote,
“Happy 29th birthday kid. It’s different but I’ve got you always. May God continue to bless you. May you have the mind of Christ and may your body be healed in Jesus name. 2024 is yours Beloved. It’s yours. Y’all help me wish Donovan a happy birthday.”
Instagram
They nurtured his athletic talents while prioritizing education and character development.
Their guidance helped shape him into the person teammates and coaches described as “a wonderful kid.“
Additional Information
- Coach Larry Johnson specifically noted that Donovan was “a really great worker, a really smart football player” who demonstrated strong determination to improve.
- He reportedly lost approximately 40 pounds from his previous playing weight, competing at around 300 pounds after returning from his health issues.
- Dr. Marcelo Gomes, who treated Munger at the Cleveland Clinic, was impressed by Donovan’s approach to recovery – the physician described him as “a trooper” who demonstrated exceptional compliance with treatment protocols and brought dedication to every aspect of his medical care.
