LIU Football Player Clayton Beathard Stabbed To Death

NASHVILLE, TN — Clayton Beathard, a football player at Long Island University, was stabbed to death early Saturday in his Nashville in what authorities said was an argument about a woman that began inside the Dogwood Bar and turned physical outside.

Beathard, 22, is the brother of San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard.

Paul Trapeni III, 21, was also killed in the stabbing, officials said. A third victim, who was 21, was treated and released for stab wounds as well. Police have released a photograph of a person of interest in the stabbings, which happened around 2:50 a.m., but have not identified a suspect in the slayings.

Clayton Beathard, a native of Nashville, was a junior at Long Island University, where he was majoring in sports management and played on the university's football team as quarterback for seven games this year before being sidelined with an injury. He transferred to LIU from Iowa Western Community College.

He is the son of country songwriter Casey Beathard (whose hits included Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems") and he's the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Beathard. His brother Tucker is a country music singer and songwriter.

His parents remembered him for his spirit, describing Clay as "softhearted" and someone who "loved kids, underdogs and the less fortunate," according to a statement issued to the Tennessean. "He had his family's, friends' and teammates' backs even to a fault," the statement said. "Nobody's light shined like his when he smiled."

Clayton Beathard's older brother C.J. Beathard was put on the inactive list Saturday as San Francisco 49ers readied to take on the Rams at 8:15 p.m.

The San Francisco 49ers issued the following statement about the loss:

The 49ers family was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragedy involving C.J. Beathard's younger brother, Clayton. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to C.J. and the entire Beathard family as they cope with the unthinkable loss of a loved one. C.J. has traveled home to join his family knowing he has the support of our entire organization as they grieve the passing of Clayton.

Story written by Elizabeth Janney, Patch Staff