Northwestern State University's decision to cancel their football season after the tragic shooting death of one of their players, Ronnie Caldwell, has been met with criticism from senior quarterback, Tyler Vander Waal. Vander Waal took to social media to express his disappointment in the university's actions, claiming that the decision to cancel the season was a cop-out and that the lack of leadership was evident.

In a lengthy statement, Vander Waal wrote, "They used his unfortunate passing as a cop out... The decision makers here thought it was a good idea to cancel the season and take away the only structure we had? They thought it would be smart to take away these players' outlets during a time of grief?" Vander Waal went on to say that the players were kept in the dark about everything and that there was more to the decision than meets the eye.

Vander Waal also expressed his belief that most, if not all, of the players wanted to finish out the season. "They didn't consider the players in this decision and they failed us as athletes," he added.

The athletics department responded to Vander Waal's criticisms, stating that they understood and respected the players' feelings but had to prioritize their health and welfare. They defended the decision to cancel the season, claiming that it was a difficult but necessary call to make.

The university announced the decision to end the season and the resignation of head coach Brad Laird on Friday, citing concerns for the mental health and well-being of its student-athletes. Laird, who had been with the program for six seasons, also announced his retirement.

The Natchitoches Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in the area and discovered Ronnie Caldwell with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. While Caldwell's roommate, John McIntosh, was arrested for possession of a gun in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, his arrest has not been linked to Caldwell's death.

Just last week, one of Caldwell's former teammates, Maurice Campbell II, was arrested in connection with his death. Campbell faces charges of obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.

The university expressed their sadness over Caldwell's death and stated that their initial instinct was to return to the field, but they later realized that the emotional burden on the team was too deep. They decided to pause the season to allow the players, coaches, and staff time to mourn, heal, and support Caldwell's family.

Head coach Brad Laird, deeply affected by the loss of Caldwell, announced his decision to step down, stating that he couldn't give his all to the players or the program in light of the tragedy. He expressed his love for the university and its competitive spirit, believing that it would persevere and move forward.

The investigation into Caldwell's death is still ongoing, and the university remains committed to supporting the players and finding justice for their fallen teammate.