Marco Warren: Legend, Leader, Father, Footballer
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Tributes have poured in for Bermuda footballer Marco Warren who died following a suspected hit-and-run incident in Hamilton Parish early Sunday morning.
He captained PHC Zebras to the Premier Division and Friendship Trophy titles this season, earning the top-flight’s Most Valuable Player award for the second successive year at the Bermuda Football Association Awards Ceremony last month.
The 30-year-old midfielder made his Bermuda debut in a 2-0 victory over Grenada in a friendly match at home in 2015. He was also part of the first Bermuda squad to reach the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2019, starting their final group match, a 2-0 win over Nicaragua at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
Danté Leverock, who captained Bermuda at the Gold Cup, wrote on Facebook: “A real legend. One of the best ever. A great person. Humble. Talented. Marco.”
Several other Bermuda players have paid respects to Warren on social media, with winger Lejaun Simmons tweeting: “Still can’t come to terms after our convo yesterday bro. You were a great a friend from young. A blessing to play with and against you. Rest easy bro and never forget the good memories of playing out Purvis and sharing the pitch to make history. Gone too soon. MW10.”
Bermuda winger Zeiko Lewis tweeted: “To a legend of the game. And one of the few guys shorter than me that I looked up to. Condolences to the Warren family and the PHC Zebras family. You will be missed by so many. May you continue to ball in peace.”
Dale Eve, the Bermuda goalkeeper, also took to Twitter, writing: “It’s a terribly sad day for PHC and football itself island-wide. I’m honoured to have graced the pitch with and against such a brilliantly talented and kind soul. My deepest love and condolences go to the humble Warren family.”
The Bermuda Football Association [BFA] issued a statement yesterday, describing Warren as a “role model” and “proud ambassador to the sport”.
The statement read: “Marco could often be seen leading by example, inspiring his teammates with passion, dedication, and skill.
“The BFA will honour Marco’s legacy with a moment of silence at upcoming league matches and changing its profile pictures on all social media platforms until Marco’s body is laid to rest.
“We encourage all clubs and fans to join us in paying tribute to a true rising star of the game. Rest in peace, Marco.”
PHC also paid tribute to their talisman, who “embodied the Zebra spirit and was the heart of our team”.
The club’s statement continued: “Marco continually left fans in awe of his skills and inspired other players to improve. He was a humble person despite his level of greatness. When he was on the field, the ‘magician’ just went to work.
“He was a leader on and off the field as he demonstrated the well-rounded individual we aspire to develop for our community.
“We will never forget you. Forever a Zebra, Rest peacefully, skipper.”
Owen Darrell, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said Warren’s death was a “profoundly tragic and devasting loss for our community”.
He added: “Marco’s untimely passing hits us very hard, as he was a beloved member of our Youth and Sport family, working within our organisation as a youth mentor and programme leader.
“Marco was a humble and kind young man, and our hearts are heavy today.
“Marco was a new father, and I cannot begin to express how saddened I am for his entire family.
“On behalf of the Ministry, I extend my sincerest, deepest and heartfelt condolences to Marco’s loved ones, friends and our sports community.”
Ben Smith, the Shadow Sports Minister, added: “I am shocked and outraged to learn that someone who has given so much to Bermuda has had his life unfairly cut short.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to his loved ones, especially his parents, his siblings and his newborn son and the PHC family.”
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