Former Pitt DB Jovani Chappel Sr. Passes Away at 34

Former Pitt defensive back Jovani Chappel Sr. has passed away on April 30 at the age of 34, with Pitt teammate Dorin Dickerson mourning the loss of his friend and teammate on Twitter Tuesday.

Rip to my former teammate Jovani 🙏🏾😔 pic.twitter.com/b7srnI2Zus

— Dorin Dickerson (@scorindorin) May 10, 2022

According to an obituary in the Dayton Daily News, Chappel “peacefully transitioned to a new life on Saturday, April 30” and left behind fiancee Adrielle, children Jovia, Jiya and Jovani Jr., and his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life ceremony was held at Phillips Temple in Trotwood, Ohio on May 7.

There has not been an official cause of death announced.

Chappel spent four seasons at Pitt from 2006-09, recording 123 tackles (89 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 10 passes defended and two fumble recoveries.

As a key piece in Pitt’s defensive secondary as a junior and senior, playing in all 26 games over his final two seasons at Pitt, he led the Big East in passes defended as a senior — helping Pitt to a 10-3 record in 2009.

In Pitt’s key upset over West Virginia in the 2007 edition of the Backyard Brawl, Chappel recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half to set up a Pitt go-ahead touchdown and recorded three additional tackles.

A GoFundMe account to pay for Chappel’s funeral services has been set up, with the link here.