In Calvin's Honor
This page is dedicated to honoring the memory of Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., an 18-year-old who tragically passed away following the first day of his college football conditioning camp due to complications from exertional rhabdomyolysis and a sickle cell trait crisis based on independent autopsy findings. CJ discovered he carried the sickle cell trait during NCAA-mandated screenings which was reported to the university prior to reporting to camp. Our mission is to share his story and raise awareness about vital athlete safety issues, including NCAA protocols for managing sickle cell traits and preventing heat-related emergencies.
Click the link below to learn more about the NCAA and CDC Sickle Cell Trait Guidelines
Honoring CJ by Carrying His Light Forward
CJ was a son, brother, nephew, cousin, teammate, and friend.
CJ was also young man with a bright spirit, a powerful work ethic, and a dream to play college football. He has a village who loves him deeply and misses him every single day!
As we honor CJ’s life and legacy, we choose to channel our grief into purpose.
We choose to pay it forward in Calvin’s honor.
50 for #50 Athletic Scholarship --> Applications Now Open Through January 15, 2026.
5 winners to be announced to be announced on February 4, 2026.
Family of CJ Dickey to Move Forward with Legal Action A Call for Truth and Accountability The family of Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. has made the decision to move forward with litigation against Bucknell University. This decision follows months of unanswered requests for full transparency about what led to CJ’s death on July 12, 2024 and the university’s handling of that tragic day. Despite submitting his full medical history, including confirmation of his sickle cell trait, CJ was subjected to an extreme workout on his first day of training. He collapsed and later died from complications tied to exertional rhabdomyolysis and multiple organ failure. To this day, Bucknell has not released a full, detailed account of what occurred, nor have they provided the family with findings from their internal investigation. The family, along with their attorneys, held a press conference on April 2, 2025. Click the link below for more information. This legal action marks a crucial step in the family's ongoing pursuit of truth, accountability, and change — not just for CJ, but for the safety of all student-athletes.
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