Jamaican footballer Tremaine Stewart dead

Stewart, 33, was playing football with his friends in the community of Gordon Pen, Spanish Town when he suddenly collapsed on the field. He was rushed to the hospital while doctors tried desperately to resuscitate him without any luck.

Stewart burst onto the local football scene playing for St Catherine club Fraziers Whip FC before moving up to the National Premier League, donning the shirts of Waterhouse FC, Portmore United and Harbour View.

The striker, who sometimes plays as an attacking midfielder, played overseas in Norway and Finland before returning to Jamaica where he was signed by Dunbeholden FC.

In 2012 Stewart made his international debut for Jamaica. He was capped 11 times and scored two goals in the Reggae Boyz shirt.

• Jamaican footballer Tremaine Stewart dead

In a statement the Jamaica Football Federation said it is deeply saddened to  learn of the sudden death of Stewart affectionately called ‘Tan Tan’.

“Tremaine was a skilful, confident, industrious and energetic player who influenced games with precocious plays,” the federation said.
Through JFF President Michael Ricketts, the local governing body sends its sincere condolences to Stewart’s family, friends and teammates at the clubs he represented.

“This is a player that I enjoyed watching,” said Rickets. “He embodied the beautiful game. It is so heartbreaking when we lose love ones, particularly when they are so young. We grieve with his family and friends,” Ricketts said.

Off the field Stewart espouses an affable and affectionate personality that pulled people together. He always had a kind heart and wanted better for the Gordon Pen community where he contributed financially to the ongoing restoration of the sports complex, his stomping ground as a child where the skillsets of a tricky playmaker were developed.

Sport Minister Olivia Grange knew Stewart personally and “regrets” his untimely passing.

"My spirit fell when I received the news about Tremaine this morning. We have lost yet another of our sportsmen whose contribution added much,” said Grange.

"I am proud of the fact that Tremaine was a product of Gordon Pen, Spanish Town, which is in my constituency of Central St. Catherine.

“The citizens were so proud of him and the young people saw him as an inspiration. I am so sorry that he won’t be around to see the completion of the Gordon Pen Sports and Entertainment Complex now being built and the critical role he would play in the transformation of the surrounding communities through this facility.”