Jose Fernandez: Miami Dolphins say death "bigger than sports"

MIAMI, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Minutes before the Miami Dolphins took the field Sunday to battle the Cleveland Browns, players learned that Marlins ace Jose Fernandez was dead.

With heavy hearts, those Dolphins players brought home the first victory of the season. But after the game, it wasn't about how many sacks he had or how dominant Fernandez was on the mound, that Cameron Wake had in mind.

"I actually literally minutes before I went out there heard about it," Wake said after the game when asked about Fernandez. "I still don't have all the details but it's just...It's so funny because we go out there and we're playing a game and there are so many things going on that are bigger than football, bigger than sports. And to have someone lose their life...again, I don't have all the details but it's just seems early."

No players were kneeling before kick off, as a giant American flag was unfurled, covering end zone to end zone. The Hard Rock Stadium announcer asked more than 60,000 fans to take to their feet and silently reflect on the late 24-year-old. Fernandez died in a boating accident in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was expecting his first child with his girlfriend.

"The moment of silence is obviously well deserved," Wake said. "I know from speaking to guys that he's a great player and a hell of a person as well. I think to everybody here and around the city he'll definitely be missed."

Fernandez was set to pitch Sunday against the New York Mets, before the game was canceled. The Marlins resumed play Monday, in a very emotional battle in front of a large crowd.

"He's my age," Dolphins linebacker Jelani Jenkins told MiamiDolphins.com. "It's just really sad. Definitely gone too soon. Never met him. Never been to a Marlins game, but I do understand how important it is to this area. It's very sad."

The Dolphins organization tweeted before the game that its "thoughts and prayers" were with the family of Fernandez.