Former Waterhouse FC winner Hugh Howell collapsed and died while playing football on Sunday.

The 39-year-old Howell was a part of the Waterhouse team that won the Jamaica Premier League in 2006 and later represented Humble Lion until his retirement a few seasons ago.

Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, confirmed to Our Today that “his good friend” had passed.

“Information is a bit sketchy, and I am trying to get some more. But we were good friends, and this really surprises me,” said Ricketts. “So sad. Hugh and I had a good relationship. RIP, my friend.”

Howell, who made a name while at Excelsior High School winning the Manning Cup in 2003 and 2004, is known as a hard-tackling midfielder who gave his all.

He joined the Drewsland-based Waterhouse team and quickly became a household name and a sure starter with his no-nonsense attitude and a player more likely to do the “dirty work”.

Howell went to Humble Lion in 2013, where he earned the moniker “Lion Heart” as he would give his all for his club and was elevated to captain.

Howell is the second former Waterhouse player to collapse and die while playing friendly football.

In 2019, Jamoly Powell, who played for Waterhouse, Maverley/Hughenden and Clarendon-based team Sporting Central Academy, also collapsed and died.

Another former Waterhouse FC player, Tremaine Stewart, collapsed and died in 2021 while playing football in Spanish Town. He also represented August Town, Portmore United and Dunbeholden FC.