A local family is mourning the loss of a Special Olympian who inspired them both on the field and off.
Charlie Huff, 21, of Longview, had a heart attack during a Special Olympics softball tournament in Olympia, WA over the weekend.
Paramedics tried to revive him, but it was too late.
His friends and family said this is an incredibly tough time, but they still want to celebrate his life.
"He was a really, really sweet boy," said his sister Courtney Olson. "He was really huggable. Even if you hardly knew him, he'd hug you."
Charlie was born with Down syndrome. He graduated high school this year and loved playing on his Special Olympics softball team.
His team won their first game on Saturday and the second matchup had just gotten under way when Charlie collapsed in the dugout.
Just minutes before it happened, his family said he hit a single and was thrilled to be helping his team.
"As a coach, I tell you, he was the best athlete ever," said his coach Becky Bernhardt. "He did everything he was supposed to do with 150 percent."
"He was awesome," she said.
-CNN
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