Ex-rugby player collapsed and died of Covid aged 22 while self-isolating

A former rugby player collapsed and died from coronavirus while self-isolating at home with his girlfriend, his father has revealed. 

Jake Naylor, 22, was ‘fit and healthy’ and played for several rugby league and union teams before his death from pneumonia and Covid-19 at his father Ash Naylor’s house in Hull in February. 

Mr Naylor, 57, a rugby coach, described his son, who had no under-lying health conditions but was prone to chest infections, as a ‘man mountain’ who was ‘liked by everyone’.

Jake had been isolating after his father and his girlfriend Chloe both tested positive for Covid, but did not realise he had the illness too. 

Jake Naylor (pictured), 22, was ‘fit and healthy’ and played for several rugby league and union teams before his death from pneumonia and Covid-19 at his father Ash Naylor’s house in Hull

Jake had been isolating after his father and his girlfriend Chloe (pictured) both tested positive for Covid, but did not realise he had the illness too

The agricultural engineering student at Bishop Burton College had been unwell with a bad chest, which Mr Naylor said was common, before he died.

Mr Naylor said: ‘He was 6ft 5, a typical rugby player build. He was liked by everyone, which is such a cliché, but it was true. He was such a nice and pleasant young man. It stuns me still, that he’s gone, it doesn’t seem real.’   

When Jake’s illness worsened he wanted to see his mother Jan but couldn’t because of coronavirus restrictions.  

Jake’s rugby friends had a shirt made which combines colours of teams he’s played for

He added: ‘She told me to ring 111 and it was then that he just collapsed and never recovered. The ambulance paramedics were fantastic, they were here within minutes but they couldn’t revive him, it was all very sudden.’

The post mortem revealed he had rare strain of viral pneumonia and his death was also certified as Covid-related. None of them had known he was positive.

‘I’d been trying to get Jake to the doctors, but you know what fellas are like, he didn’t want to go, and that’s one of my biggest regrets, not putting my foot down,’ said his father, who added that ‘it haunts me.’

Jake, who leaves behind two sisters, Emma, 19, and Rachael, 16, went to South Holderness Technology College and played for their rugby team.

He went on to play for several more teams, including Hornsea RU club, Easts, Hull RUFC, Holderness Vikings, and Isburg.

Jake’s rugby friends have organised a memorial match at the YPI sports centre on August 7 to celebrate his life, and have had a shirt made up which combines colours of teams he’s played for, with ‘Naylor 22’ on the back. 

‘When he was 14, the “22” shirt was the only one that would fit him, as “22” was always the spare shirt that was an extra big size. He was so tall and broad. So that’s the number on this special shirt,’ said Mr Naylor.

He said the memorial game will be an ’emotional day’ for them all. ‘Anyone is welcome to come to the game, it is about celebrating his life and it is going to be an emotional day for everyone.

‘The lads all stopped playing when they left college and got jobs and girlfriends, so it’s wonderful that they will all be coming back together again to play. 

Jake’s rugby friends have organised a memorial match at the YPI sports centre on August 7 to celebrate his life

‘Some of them have started playing together since this happened, so it’s nice that something positive has come from something so tragic.

‘The support and wishes from all of his friends has been really touching and very over-whelming. There no easy way through grief, it’s a path you just have to walk, and it’s tough.’

He said he gets upset with some people’s casual attitude towards Covid. ‘It annoys me when people are so dismissive about it, but it can affect anybody,’ he added.

‘People don’t always treat it as the hazard that it is. I completely understand we can’t stand still with the economy, but it is still very frightening and very worrying at the same time.’

The family are holding a service for Jake on Friday at Skirlaugh Church, when they will be burying his ashes.