Rashad Carrington, a semi-pro basketball player and budding fashion model, died yesterday in a car crash on I-380 in northern Johnson County.
He was seen most recently on the runway at the inaugural FlyOver Fashion Festival held in Iowa City. He wore clothing from the BLU Collar label; their spring 2016 line of clothing is titled YVNG LDRZ [Young Leaders].
Police said Carrington’s vehicle struck a guardrail and then landed on the side of the road. He was pronounced dead in Iowa City.
Andre’ Wright is the creator and owner of BLU Collar (Born Leaders United). He paid tribute to his friend on his Facebook page:
“I am sad that I lost my friend last night but honored to have offered Rashad the opportunity to be a part of my company and do something he really wanted to do. We grew so close over the last 4 months and grew even tighter this weekend as a fashion family while walking the runway … His last words to me were that he was living his dream. I pray for his mother, family and friends. He will forever be Born Leaders United. This is dedicated to you Shad Carrington I learned so much from you and you don’t even know. Until we meet again. So sad.”
Carrington began his college basketball career at Ashford University before transferring to and graduating from Mt. Mercy University. He played for the Houston Lone Star Strikers of the International Basketball League before he was signed by the Cedar Valley CourtKings earlier this year.
Cedar Valley CourtKings team owner and general manager Gary Rima called Carrington “a leader on and off the court.”
