The daughter of Super Bowl champion Bruce Collie has died in a tragic airshow incident.
Collie, a two-time Super Bowl champion, lost one of his daughters after an accident at Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, according to TMZ.
Devyn Reiley, who was the oldest of Collie’s 13 children, was flying a World War II-era T-6 Texan when it plummeted into the lake at 9 a.m. on Sunday, as confirmed by local authorities. The flight was part of the AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 event.
The details are unclear, but one witness told TMZ that the aircraft started ‘spinning’ before beginning a sudden descent towards the lake. “I thought they were doing a trick at first,” the witness added.
The plane was also carrying a 20-year-old passenger, who also died, according to the authorities, and NTSB are currently investigating the incident.
Collie posts on social media
Collie, who won two SuperBowls with the San Francisco 49ers, wrote on social media over the weekend: “I trust You my King…. ALL THINGS to work together for good…”
The message appeared to be in response to the news of his daughter’s death, given he also posted images of himself sharing a cockpit with his daughter, who evidently had a passion for flying.
He later posted another message on Monday, saying he received a message from a friend who said Devyn was “always professional, hard working, respectful and with such a beautiful smile.From our Friend Amalia Molly Forina. Thank you Molly…”
“I remember when Devyn authored her first book, so young and so accomplished,” Forina continued, noting she mee the family when Collie’s wife, Holly, was pregnant with the couple’s 12th child
“With this family, you cannot help but celebrate and share their pride and joy in all their milestones and accomplishments, and now, their heartbreak and loss.”
Just days prior, Collie had posted: “God is so cool to give her a family that is ALL aviation…thank you Reiley’s for being the family that she was destined for…”
During his playing career, Collie spent five seasons with the 49ers, winning two championships, ahead of finishing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Since retiring in 1991, he has been heavily involved in aviation, while also venturing into other industries with businesses.
