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14-yr-old waiting for brother before match learned he passed away in crash—she still played the game for powerful reason

The teenage girl learned that her entire family had passed away in a tragic car crash, but when her coach asked her to skip the game, she refused.

BY ANGELINA DSOUZA

PUBLISHED APR 16, 2025

(L) Teenage athlete focused on a game. (R) Teenage girl remembering a bittersweet memory. (Representative Cover Image Source: Unsplash | (L) Ava Tyler; (R) Max Tolchinskiy)

No one wants to hear the tragic news of losing a loved one, let alone one’s entire family. The shivers that crawl down the spine at the mere idea tell how unfathomable it can become as a devastating reality. 14-year-old Kelsey McCaffety was ready for a softball game and was anticipating her parents Clint and Meghan McCaffety and her older brother Connor McCaffety's arrival, per PEOPLE. Kelsey received the heart-shattering news that her entire family had died in a car crash on their way to the game. Despite being gut-wrenched with pain, she chose to continue the game for a poignant reason.

Teenage girl prepping ahead of match. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Pixabay)

Connor and his parents were returning from a golf tournament in their hometown, where the 17-year-old and his sister had games to play. As soon as the school athletic director heard the news of the family’s tragedy, he decided to cancel the game. Kelsey was not present for the game at the time, but took the strength and grace to do an exemplary thing. She refused and insisted the game carry on. She also requested to avoid informing Connor’s teammates as she wanted to convey the heartbreaking message. “Those are his brothers,” she said. Despite the unimaginable grief she was going through, she prioritized her brother’s game for one reason.

Older brother laughing and bonding with sister. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash| Photo by Elisa Kennemer)

Brandon Puffer, Connor’s private coach, shared Kelsey’s reasons. “Kelsey said, 'No, no, no, Connor would want them to finish the game.” She ensured she respected what would have been her late brother’s wish and acted with a powerful will and resilience. Puffer commended the 14-year-old for being able to take in the news so bravely. “The strength of her receiving this news – and then thinking about others and how to break it to them,” he remarked. The coach also noted that the family had always encouraged supportiveness for each other, especially for the kids. The family was always “together,” and Kelsey was just keeping up the legacy out of unwavering love and respect.

Loved ones liftng casket and walking out in funeral procession. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash| Photo by The Good Funeral Guide)

“Her grandmother, her Mimi, told me that she's just been the rock for the whole family. We're all praying for her and doing whatever we can to support her,” Puffer added. The grief is going to remain in Kelsey’s heart, but she can hold on to the fact that she did just what her loved ones would have wanted and that they're proud. The community came together to help Kelsey after hearing the news, per KWTX. James Davis, a community member who knew the McCaffertys for years, said, “When I heard it, I just couldn’t believe it. We felt so bad for Kelsey to lose her family.” They stepped in to offer emotional and financial help to Kelsey and her relatives.

Siblings laughing and spending time together. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash| Photo by Janko Ferlic)

They auctioned off a steer and raised $180,000 for Kelsey so she could hold onto her family’s prized possessions and legacies. Even after bearing such a brutal loss, Kelsey is still grateful and holding up well. “I knew we had amazing people in my family that passed, but I didn’t know the impact that they had on these people. The impact they had on those people is now making the impact back onto me,” she remarked.