Former CMU QB Tommy Lazzaro dies at age 27 in hunting accident

MOUNT PLEASANT - Former Central Michigan University quarterback Tommy Lazzaro has died at the age of 27 in a hunting accident, CMU broadcaster Adam Jaksa tweeted and the school later confirmed.

According to his obituary, Lazzaro died Dec. 22 in a hunting accident in Destin, Florida.

Born June 15, 1997, Lazzaro was a Monument, Colorado, native. He saw action in 20 games with CMU, with five starts from 2016-19.

Jaksa tweeted, “He was a key part in CMU’s 2019 turnaround year that led them to the MAC title game, where he scored 2 TD’s.”

Lazzaro played for head coaches John Bonamego (2016-18) and Jim McElwain (2019), according to CMU.

“When we took over the program, Tommy was truly our leader in so many ways,” McElwain said. “CMU Football was blessed to have him and will always remember him for all he did for many of us. He will be missed by all of the Chippewas.”

Lazzaro also served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of sergeant. According to a statement from CMU, “Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Lazzaro decided to enlist in the United States Army shortly after graduating from Central Michigan University with an entrepreneurship degree in December 2019.”

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Dec. 28.