Phoenix, Arizona – November 29, 2024 – Joey Counts, a standout Arizona high school football running back and firefighter, has died at the age of 31.
Counts, a Mesa Desert Ridge alumnus, was a two-time Arizona High School Football Coaches Association Super 25 running back. He rushed for 3,485 yards and 46 touchdowns during his high school career.
After high school, Counts played football at the University of Montana from 2012-2016. He later became a firefighter with the Gilbert Fire Department.
“Joey was a rare person,” said Buckeye Verrado football coach Jeremy Hathcock, who coached Counts in high school. “He was kind to people that nobody would talk to. He was a gym rat.”
Counts’ death was announced by the Gilbert Fire and Rescue on Facebook, who described him as “one of our own.” The cause of death has not been released.
The news of Counts’ passing has been met with an outpouring of condolences from the community, including other fire departments across the Valley.
“Rest in peace, brother,” wrote the United Goodyear Firefighters on Facebook. “Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters in Gilbert as well as all of the friends and family of Gilbert Firefighter Joey Counts.”
The post Joey Counts Obituary; 31-year-old Former Montana Grizzly running back Joey Counts passed away first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
