Former NFL punter Kasey Redfern, who grew up in Jamestown and starred in two sports at Ragsdale High School, has died.
Redfern, 35, died Oct. 13 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he and his family had settled after his NFL career. He died after a 3 1/2-year battle against CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma.
Though born in Columbia, South Carolina, Redfern lived most of his life in Jamestown. At Ragsdale, where he graduated in 2010, Redfern played goalie for the school’s soccer team. His kicking ability caught the attention of a football coach, and he was recruited as the football team’s kicker and punter.
That led to a scholarship to play football at Wofford College (2010-13), followed by an NFL career from 2014 to 2019. Although undrafted, Redfern made the rosters of the Detroit Lions (2017) and Atlanta Falcons (2019). Other years, he was a member of the offseason or practice squads of several other teams, including the Carolina Panthers in 2016.
Survivors include his wife, Lauryl, and two sons, Logan and Oliver.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Spartanburg, 250 E. Main St., Spartanburg, South Carolina. The family requests that attendees wear Captain America colors, especially blue, as a tribute to Redfern’s favorite superhero. A pizza party honoring Redfern will be held at the church following the celebration of life.