Jabari Rougier, nephew of former Trinidad and Tobago standout Anthony Rougier and older brother of W Connection U-17 talent Yafeu Rougier, passed away on Sunday as a result of injury sustained to the head in a minor league match on Saturday.
ttproleague.com understands that Jabari, 22, a former player with the now defunct FC SouthEnd, suffered a concussion after colliding with a goalkeeper on Saturday during the minor league match in Sobo village, La Brea.
Jabari, a player for Savannah Boys, was rushed to the Point Fortin and then to San Fernando hospital on Saturday, but on Sunday night, family and friends were left saddened on hearing that the 22 year old passed away.
Jabari, a former student of St. Benedicts College, was a member of a football-devoted family. His younger brother Yafeu has represented T&T at youth level and is a standout at youth levels with Couva based club W Connection.
In 2012 Yafeu was one of three Trinidadians selected by former England and Liverpool legend John Barnes for a week–long Digicel Academy in Barbados and trained under coaches of Chelsea Football Club.
But Anthony, a former T&T captain, remains the most prominent footballer out of the family.
Tony, as he is referred to by many, played for La Brea Angels, Trintoc, United Petrotrin and Trinity Pros, before signing with Scottish club Raith Rovers in March 1995.
He helped the club to the First Division in 1994–95, before joining Hibernian in July 1997. He helped “Hibs” secure the First Division title in 1998–99, before he was sold on to English club Port Vale in January 1999. He moved on to Reading FC in August 2000, and helped the “Royals” to promotion out of the Second Division in 2000–01. He switched to Brentford in May 2003, before joining Bristol City in March 2004.
Tony later then had spells in China with Nanjing Yoyo and in America with Rochester Rhinos, before returning to Trinidad to play for United Petrotrin. He also had managerial roles at North East Stars, and FC South End—which he owned.
Condolences goes out to the family and friends of Jabari Rougier on behalf of the Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and staff of the TT Pro League.