Monday evening, Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman expanded upon his previous statement regarding the death of wide receivers coach Ray Sherman's 14-year-old son, Ray Sherman, Jr.
"It is important to me at this time, as a friend of the Sherman family, to assist them in dealing with this tragedy and also to help them come to an understanding, if at all possible, of what actually happened, and why," Mike Sherman said.
"I know the Medical Examiner concluded in his autopsy report that Ray Sherman Jr.'s death was the result of a deliberate, self-inflicted act. I assume he came to this conclusion based on his interpretation of certain physical evidence.
"It is important, however, to realize that there are many emotional and behavioral indications that strongly suggest this was not a deliberate act, but purely an accidental one.
"This was a 14-year old boy who loved life, and life loved him.
"He was a student, athlete and leader of his eighth-grade class. He always had a smile on his face. The day of his passing, he played in a soccer game and practiced his drum lessons in the morning, and worked with his mother in a garage sale that afternoon. He even emailed a friend about the movie Matrix Reloaded he was going to see with his father that night.
"There was no note left behind or anything in his life to suggest that this young man had any plans other than living his life to the fullest. The Sherman family has been dealt a devastating blow. I ask for everyone to try and comprehend the purely accidental nature of this tragedy as the family is coming to understand it as well. I also ask for people to respect the privacy and interests of this family and to pray for them as they deal with their devastating loss and begin the process of healing."
Earlier Monday, the Packers' GM/head coach had issued the following statement:
"This obviously is a very grievous time for all of us," he said, "but most certainly for Ray and Yvette Sherman, their two beautiful daughters, Erica and Alana, their entire family and many, many friends.
"Ray Jr. was an engaging young man who affected those he met in a very positive way.
"I ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Shermans as they attend to their needs as a family. I appeal to everyone to offer prayers as this family begins the process of dealing with their loss."
Ray Sherman, Jr., died of a gunshot wound to the head Sunday, after finding the weapon in the family garage, according to the Green Bay Police Department.
Funeral services for Ray Sherman, Jr., son of Packers receivers coach Ray Sherman, will be held at Bayside Christian Fellowship Church in Green Bay at 11 a.m. Friday.
There will be visitation at the Lyndahl Funeral home, which is in charge of arrangements, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday prior to the funeral.
