Former Storm player Ivan Caesar murdered

Ivan Caesar, a former Storm player best known for getting into a scuffle with Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum in 1997, was the victim of a deadly shooting Monday, the Orlando Sentinel reported. According to the Sentinel, Caesar "was found dead inside his home at the Tuscany Village Apartments in the 4800 block of South Orange Blossom Trail at about 12:40 a.m." (To see video from the crime scene, go here.)   

He was 41.

When reached by the Sentinel, Caesar's former wife, Robyn Caesar, said, "I know he had a lot of demons. I know most people do. And he's taking them to his grave."

The Storm became aware of Caesar's death Monday, when investigators from Orlando called the team in an effort to locate his next of kin, said team public relations coordinator Jim Robinson. Marcum could not immediately be reached for comment.

Caesar was a member of the Storm during the 1995 and '96 seasons, playing fullback and linebacker during his stint with the team. Both teams he played for here won AFL championships.

Caesar was traded during the offseason after the 1996 season, but returned to Tampa in April 1997 because he had not received his ArenaBowl championship ring. In a bizarre incident that occurred at the team's first preseason practice, Caesar wrestled Marcum to the ground and the two were broken up by coaches and players. Marcum's glasses were damaged and he sustained slight bruises to his mouth and nose. "He came up behind me and tried to grab my ring," Marcum told the Times after the incident. "No punches were thrown. It wasn't as physical as it looked."

Caesar gave his side the following day, telling reporters, "Marcum has my ring, and he just doesn't want to give it to me. I've seen coaches with their rings, I've seen administrators with their rings and I don't have my ring? The jeweler is here in Tampa. How long does it take to make one more ring?" Following the altercation, Marcum said Caesar would get his ring.

Caesar was arrested two days after the incident and was charged with attempted strong-arm robbery with injury. According to a Times story dated Jul 23, 1998, he was given a one-year suspension by the league. Robinson said Monday that Caesar called Marcum some time later and apologized.

Caesar had 11 rushing touchdowns for the Storm on 56 carries. According to Arenafan.com, Caesar last played in the AFL with Milwaukee in 1999. The Sentinel reported that Caesar, who attended Boston College, also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[Carol]

No.......Robyn......most people DON'T walk around through life these sort of "demons"!!! This is just another typical "professional Athlete" that thinks he can walk around acting like he's above any and all laws/values etc.

So someone hurt him before he did it to someone else....no big deal. Gee...did he ever get his ring? What's it worth to him now folks??? Hmmmm

[TechRider]

Did that make you feel better Carol?

[sb]

Carol- Hopefully someone will be there to pull a quote from you when someone close to you dies. We will see what you can come up with.

[dk33063]

Looks like karma at work to me. It catches up with you sooner or later.

[Daryl]

Have to remember AFL players made very little money back then,Salaries are much higher now. Also, Sometimes thats the way it goes, 30,ooo a year for a couple years and then unfotunatly back to the hood for some...its a dangerous way of life,god bless Ivan,thanks for the memories.

[Sean]

Ivan was a good guy who struggled with issues. My thoughts and prayers go out to his four children.

Carol, it must be wonderful being so perfect.

sad story, no doubt about.

[Bill]

Issues??? Give me a break...the guy broke the law...I am so damn tired of people getting free passes because of so-call "issues."

[trigger happy]

To Carol and Bill, you must be white in order to say something like that on the internet, face his family face to face

[Name Withheld to Protect the Innocent]

Ok people, I worked with the guy...about 5 years after his football career ended. He lasted about 2 months there. He had no drive, no ambition, no desire. I guess he was battling his demons then, and probably continued right up through his death. He had an attitude like he was above everything...the law, the job, the people he worked with...and based on his troubled football career, and beyond, this should not be a surprise to anyone. You get one chance in life, to beat odds like he did (making the NFL). He simply screwed up. Sadly, this death, like so many others, effect very few. I am sad for his family. I hope they can learn from it, and be better people for it.

[Name Withheld to Protect the Innocent]

Ok people, I worked with the guy...about 5 years after his football career ended. He lasted about 2 months there. He had no drive, no ambition, no desire. I guess he was battling his demons then, and probably continued right up through his death. He had an attitude like he was above everything...the law, the job, the people he worked with...and based on his troubled football career, and beyond, this should not be a surprise to anyone. You get one chance in life, to beat odds like he did (making the NFL). He simply screwed up. Sadly, this death, like so many others, effect very few. I am sad for his family. I hope they can learn from it, and be better people for it.

[Name Withheld to Protect the Innocent]

Ok people, I worked with the guy...about 5 years after his football career ended. He lasted about 2 months there. He had no drive, no ambition, no desire. I guess he was battling his demons then, and probably continued right up through his death. He had an attitude like he was above everything...the law, the job, the people he worked with...and based on his troubled football career, and beyond, this should not be a surprise to anyone. You get one chance in life, to beat odds like he did (making the NFL). He simply screwed up. Sadly, this death, like so many others, effect very few. I am sad for his family. I hope they can learn from it, and be better people for it.

[voxy]

wow, no actually we have obama and oprah to thank for making race some huge issue it doesn't have to be.
Think about it.
At any rate, his children could read this. I'd just like to tell them that no matter what else I'm sorry for the loss of their beloved father.
That is kinda a strange quote to give .... maybe some antipathy there. Maybe she said tons of other things and this is what someone decided to post.
Carol .. do you get up first thing in the morning just to say hasty, mean things to others?
To see who is driving the O O train of racism look no further than eric deggans and blogger from keep swimming ... they tried to make it and KEEP IT a front page issue.
Yet, all around me I see folks of all races talking, marrying, laughing, loving, partying and sometimes fighting.
Like people DO.
Grow up OBAMA GROW UP OPRAH. Grow up all you folks from Ghana who are trying to bring apartheid to America.
Like the new yorkers who moved here to make it just like home.
Awwwww.

[trigger happy]

o 2 each owen.Let c how you sleep tonigth.

[CJ]

I had the pleasure of being around Ivan when my company was a sponsor of the Storm, one of the nicest guys on the team at the time, funny thing about him, he was big and bad until I had my 3 year old daughter with me and he turned into a teddy bear, always laughed when he was on the floor playing with her and her doll.

Sad his life ended like this.

So Carol and the haters, shut up

[BC Eaglette]

I knew Ivan when he was a football player at BC. He was always very kind and I never witnessed any violent behavior. I saw him with his little boys back then. ( I think he had two at the time.) He was a teddy bear with them too. He always had a smile on his face. He showed me how to shoot hoops and every time I saw him he'd ask how my jumpshot was. I'm very sad about his passing. Rest in peace, Ivan

[Juwan]

Thank you to all the people who share their condolances. Voxy is right because I am one of his sons who is reading this, and to those of you who don't know my dad he was a great father who did have some demons like my mom said. To the people who have negative comments just please don't post them.

[T]

My deepest regrets goes out to Sis Caesar and family on the passing of Ivan... I grew up with Ivan,Stedroy, Carl and Rhona in the Virgin Islands.. The heartless comments I have read makes me wonder if we are all perfect. Remembering " for all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God". We should not be Judges of anyone.. I pray for the youngmen(Juwan), that are left with fond memories of their father! Dont let anyone ever take that away from you all. I remembered him as an athlete and fun individual. SOmetimes life takes us in different directions and through different paths. Just make God the center of your life and all will be well with you and your family! God Blessings goes out to the Caesar family in these trying times and times to come. I pray over the family "A Peace of God" that only GOD can provide. When things are said and done against Ivan and his memory that he will comfort all the friends and family being affected! Thanks to the teammates(CJ) and others who KNEW him and shine a light on brighter days!

[BC 89]

My husband called me when he read of Ivan's passing. I was a friend of his at BC and my husband had remembered me telling him funny stories Ivan was included in. He was always a good friend
and a good dad and I don't recall demons any worse than anyone else. God Bless, Ivan, I will always remember the last time I saw you at MA's in 94.

[Mackalia]

Ivan was a great father!!! He LOVED his sons dearly! I hope that Juwan, Ivan Jr, Adrian, and Ervin are as strong as their dad during this time of mourning. I miss all of them and will cherish our memories. Not many know of me but that's okay because Robyn was the woman who had to deal with the bad decisions Ivan made for many years. Even Robyn can't say that Ivan wasn't a loving, caring man who just lost his way. Football meant alot to him and having it taken away really hurt him! I pray for his family and hope this brings them even closer together!!!

[Real Family]

Hi this is Milly and Felicia We just want to clear the record for our sister Robyn and the boys. Don't mistake the comments from the media that was made from robyn. The media always take and run with bits and pieces of what people say, that was not intended for any insult or harm. Robyn loved Ivan so much that she married him twice and that tells alot about her and everything else that they both endured through the years. We all loved Ivan, To Robyn n Boys keep your heads up. Remember all the good Days.

[Me]

Good point real family...

To all who knew Ivan & Robyn and the boys, they had their ups and downs but through it all they made it this far.

The whole Caesar family has beaten all odds through the grace of God.

Unfortunately Ivan loss his life and I give condolences to his family.

Everyone should have respect for his ex wife and sons, including those that
know they had a lot to do with some of the demons that kept him apart from his family(mackalia). Robyn don't want to be reminded of all the thorns.

It will be appreciated if you just give your condolences and keep it at that.

[m]

To those of you that decide to talk bad about Ivan.I grew up with Ivan,his brother Stedroy,and Carl,his sister Rhonda and cousin Laverne,to know Ivan is to love him, please dont judge him,to Sis Caesar and the family stay strong,to his sons your father was a wonderful man that made us laught,it was a pleasure growing up with him.

[BC-LB]

Juwan,
Pay no attention to the people making negative comments on this board. They never met your father and yet they feel they can sum up someone elses life based on their own past experiences. They are not worthy of your time or attention.

The people here who knew your dad all knew a man who loved his children, was always one of the first to help a friend and could make you laugh until your ribs hurt.

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers.

P. Murphy

IVAN AND MYSELF GOES BACK TO HIS HIGH SCHOOLS IN BOSTON. IM FROM THE VI JUST LIKE HIM SO IT WAS A NATURAL CONNECT. ALWAYS UPBEAT HE ENJOYED LIFE TO THE MAX ......MY CONDOLENCES GOES OUT TO THE CEASAR FAMILY.

X

["Blanka"]

Growing up an athlete in inner city of Boston, I looked up to players at Dot like D. Wright, R. Campbell and the one-and-only, "Maniac". Years later I was honored to play with them in a Boston semi-pro league. I'd never admit that to them. Ivan was the first Black, inner city Boston football player to recieve a scholarship at the only D1 program available to us, Boston College, and we felt an enormous wealth of pride when that happened. It gave all of us young athletes something real to strive for. Regradless of his decisions over the years, good or bad, he's human. That's all we are and we don't have any right to judge anyone? With that, he's a father, son, uncle and friend to quite a few people, in Boston and everywhere elese he laid his head. For many of us who played football, we know it was easy to be physical, masculine and tough but when it's all over, we realize the transition to the real world, is a much more complex playing field than we ever imagined. Yo! massive respect to him and his family. Everybody, just chill. Karl, Kev, your bro in Tampa is with you and the family always.

[Stephen Wilson]

I would just like to thank Ivan for the kindness and love he show me while at Dot High with him and after. As a freshman Dot High could be tough but because of upper classman senior ivan Caesar life in school was easy he treated me like alittle brother. Just to let family and friends know Ivan was my a great man and person if not for him i wouldn't be the man i am today and may not even be alive. So to his sons know he was a great man to alot of people. ivan my friend and Dot brother R.I.P. i love you and i will never forget what u did for me

[Unbelievable]

let me get this straight. Just Because this guy lost his cool over a championship ring that he put blood sweat and tears into some of you feel he somehow deserved to die. Reasoning like this is why we are the laughing stock of the world

[Steve Martin]

You don't remember, but i never forgot. Thank you for your help at DOT High. R.I.P.

[KIKI]

just brakes on car he just did no the word stop. Life and death has rule we all will ultimately must obey. what goes up must come down.

[James Bowden]

Hello Everyone,
I played with the storm and had a couple of the best years of my life. I also played with Ivan when I played with the New England SeaWolves. He was a good person to be around and always there for the fans of the game. I find it very hard for someone the be so heartless at a time like this. Carol what has gone so wrong in your life. Then you have the nerve to talk about Karma I prey that nothing like this happens to somebody that you Love and then have a AHole say what you said.

[Keith Niebuhr]

I just wanted to thank each of you who contributed comments to this blog. I never met Ivan, so I appreciate the attempts to share part of his life with our readers (and myself).

[ivanhater]

live by the gun die by the gun. years ago in boston he was always cheating on his wife robyn and has carried a gun for years and has threeatened many a person. finally someone got him before he got them. like to feel sorry for the children but don't. could have been a decent player but the attitude always caught up. he was better than no one.

[KylaThe1stBorn85]

I would like to tell my lil cousins Ivan, Irvin, Juwan and Adrian to keep their heads up no matter what. Regardless of what anyone says at the end of the day he was you all's father and those good memories you will always have. Hold on to them. Everyone has demons and should be delivered from them at times in life but for some its hard. WE lived those days with our parents nobody REALLY knows but US and we all still grew up to be strong adults who can be examples for our siblings.
I will always remember when we were younger and all of our dads would get together and start talkin in their accents like they were back home in VI and their high pitch laughs would drive me crazy because they would sound like some old cackling men. Lol boy those were the days. To Ivan hater and the rest of them. Im gonna end this by saying that we should all fear no man but GOD and judge not. Hating is a BIG FORM OF WEAKNESS and it could also be looked at as SUICIDE your officially inducted into what us young people consider "THE HATERNATION!"
R.I.P Unc

Any info on the funeral etc......

[T]

To The Ivan Hater! Disquised to seem younger than you are! Get rid of the hatred or it will eat you up! Remember Jesus always taught us to love those that hurt us! Life and Death is also in the tongue and as you wish bad or curse others, YOU ALSO CURSE YOURSELF! The curse can fall all the way to the third generation. YOU WILL feel just how others feel. What goes around DOES come around, so be very careful what you say! Love everyone even if sometimes they do things to hurt you! Pray for them and leave them to God to JUDGE! We all will be judged someday. Ivan is gone now! What about you! What are you doing so on Judgement Day your hatred won't send you to eternity where the flesh burns but you never die!
FORGIVE AND FORGET! LET IT GO! Stop holding MAlice in your heart! In reading your comment, I felt your pain more than your anger! You've been hurt.. Im sorry but dont live out your hurt! Get healed!God can give you that peace you need! Blessings to you !

[Big Chris]

I did not know Ivan, but he certainly had a lot of people that loved him immensely. Having been a sports reporter covering the Storm for years, I am not surprised. It's always been one big dysfunctional family, but at the end of the day it's all love. I did know James Bowden very well, and I echo his comments. JB is one of my all time favorites, and if he says Ivan was good people I believe it. So all the haters who actually find it funny to exalt in someone's death -- your day will come. My condolences to the family and friends of what seems to be a good man.

[VINNY HOWE]

IM PISSED AND SADDENED TO HEAR MY GOOD DORCHSETER HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND IVAN "MANIAC" LOST HIS LIFE AND PEOPLE HAVE NASTY COMMENTS ..I WISH ALL HIS FAMILY STRENGH IN THESE RUFF TIMES HIS FRIENDS HERE IN BOSTON WILL MISS HIM WE WILL NEVER FORGET THAT BIG CHILDISH SMILE !!

[Fonda Gill]

Condolences go out to Ivan's family. I haven't seen Ivan for many years. I actually knew him from Lockhart Elementary grade school and can remember beating him up in 3rd grade because he was tying to be frisky. :) Back then, he was a skinny kid. When I saw him last about 5 or 6 years ago in St. Thomas V.I. during Carnival time, he was this huge guy who talked quite a bit and was very entertaining. I don't know what kind of man he turned out to be, but I know that it is sad to hear of his death. I hope he was able to make peace with the Creator before he finally closed his eyes. I wish his family peace and hope that out of respect to his memory and consideration to his family, people will choose to abstain from the airing of dirty laundry, comments about hatred, etc.... these are the negative devices that in bad taste at a time like this.

[Tron]

I am Mackalia's son and all i know is that Ivan was a great dad to his sons. Even though he was not my dad he treated me like i was his son. I have no idead where people get the fact that he was violent because that is not waht i saw. I really wish i knew who the display name "me" was because if you are trying to say my mom had a lot to do with his demons you need a reality check because i bet you dont know her. But back to the main point which is to give my condolences to the whole family.

[67]

A parent wouldn't tell their child if they were being a home wrecker.

[v.i. girl]

Say it aint so! I was just tearfully remebering my dear friend Stedroy Caesar so I decided to google his name hoping to find a memento of him and this showed up. I knew Stedroy since Lockart Elementary all the way through to C.A.H.S.(we are class of '83) and I knew Carl but I don't remember Ivan.
Unfortunately, Stedroy died of cancer in 2004 and he is sorely missed.
As I said, I didn't know Ivan personally but I believe that his love ones will miss him as well. Please, instead of leaving harsh criticisms, let us pray for the family in this sad time. How does one tell parents of the death of a second son in four years (again way before his time). How does one tell children of the loss of their father.
Again, please no more bickering and name throwing. Although you may now live stateside, I know that all of you Virgin Islander transplants who are posting know how to be forgiving and know how to pray. You can't live in close-knit communities on small islands that are prone to hurricanes without knowing how to do both.
God Bless!!!!!!

[Stacy Creque-Smoot]

I just heard the news and I am very saddened by the death of Ivan, whom we affectionately called "Caesar." He was really a very nice guy to the core. We attended Christchurch Methodist in St. Thomas together. So, for those of you that don't know, he was raised in a strong Christian family. Things happen in life and sometimes the consequences are harsh. I pray that God will give his family the strength and peace to deal with this loss. To his wife, I pray that God would provide for your needs and Bless you with the strength to continue to raise the boys. I am sorry that some people feel the need to put your personal family business on this Blog. Hold your head up! We all have trying times at some point in our marriages. Some just hide it better than others. To his children, no matter what your father did, he was a good man and one of the nicest people one could meet. Our families attended a Christmas Party together back in 2005 and I was so proud to introduce my husband to one of my classmates that had beaten the odds and made it to the NFL. Be proud of your father! We all fall short at some time in our life. We all make mistakes. God Bless You All!

[v.i. girl]

To Fonda Gill and Stacy Creque-

Well said!
It was nice hearing from you guys but I wish it was under happier circumstances.

Again, my condolences to the Ceasar family.

Lauretta Coumarbatch/v.i. girl(Lockhart Elem/CAHS Class of '83)

[J]

Similar to JB, I played with Big Ceas in the Arena Football League. I typically don't comment on the Internet, but being one of the FEW people on this blog who knew him, I now feel obligated to squash all the negativity. I will tell you this... he was a GREAT teammate, a hilarious character, a man who gave tremendous effort, and someone who never stopped talking about his kids. I am sad that I won't see his big teethy smile or his suits on road trips (God knows only he could pull those off). I do know that I will always remember Big Ceas in a positive light with a big smile on his face. Peace Big Ceas!

[sad to hear]

Damn. I played football in HS with Ivan. I just heard. Condolences to all affected by his loss.