Charlie Weis told the media on Tuesday that he gave Robert Hughes a indefinite leave of absence from the team after learning his brother had unexpectedly passed away.
Weis opened his weekly Tuesday press conference by addressing the topic:
Before we get going on Navy, earlier today we received some bad news. The brother of Robert Hughes, Tony Hughes, official name Earl, he died unexpectedly. I don’t have all the details at this point, but Robert, I excused him a little while ago. His uncle came and got him to bring him home to be with his family. He was obviously upset, and I just want Robert and his family to know that the whole Notre Dame family has their family in our thoughts and in our prayers.
I really don’t have any more details, so I’m really not at liberty to talk about it. But I know his mom called me and she was shook up, and obviously when I told Robert this morning, he was shook up. So he’ll be gone for a little while. I told him as much time as he needs. I don’t know how long that will be. But when he gets back, he gets back. Obviously there’s more important things, and that’s right now to be with his family.
Making matter worse are reports that the death is being investigated as a homicide.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robert and his entire family as they deal with this tragedy.
OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO ROBERT HUGHES AND FAMILY
frank,
1. we all join you in your good thoughts and prayers for robert hughes and his family.
2. we thank you for yet another excellent sincere post.
3.this is just one of the many reasons why notre dame is so special.
4. in good times or in bad times, every real member of the notre dame community is there for everyone else.
we wish you all our very best and thank for the inspiration and eloquence,
bob gilleran