Khyler Edman honored at Charlotte High School football game

A sea of white is exactly how it looked at the Charlotte High School football game Friday night. And not just one side, but both sets of stands.

We talked briefly with Khyler’s father who says about 40 members of their family attended the game, and the community is hoping they know Khyler and the sacrifice he made will not be forgotten

Before the teams ran onto the field to start the game, a moment of silence was held for Khyler.

Balloons released flew directly over Khyler’s family. His father says it’s still too difficult to talk about.

A heated rivalry was put on hold to honor the teen who sacrificed his life protecting his sister form a burglar.

“He would be the kind of person to protect his family and others from any kind of danger,” said Justin Smith, a friend of Khyler’s.

But even those who never knew him were eager to honor his memory.

“We put it on Snapchat and everybody just like screen-shotted it and reposted it,” said Megan Porto, a senior at Port Charlotte HS. She said she did that, “Just to respect the family, respect what he did.”

15-year-old Khyler had connections to both Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. He went to middle school in Port Charlotte and attended Charlotte High.

Everyone on both sides of the field wearing white, something home-team fans appreciate.

“There’s a rivalry here, but that put aside, they care more about honoring the young man who lost his life,” said Shirley Amaral, whose grandson attends Charlotte HS.

“Some things are bigger than sports, and this is one of those things,” said one student.

Rivals will sideline their competitive spirits at Friday night’s football game to pay tribute to a young hero.

Charlotte High School Principal Cathy Corsaletti said they’re not Tarpon and Pirates during the game, “We certainly are a community that’s just coming together to reflect on the loss of one of our fellow students.”

She said Khyler’s classmates planned the memorial and she’s thankful for how the night turned out.

“We decided that both Port Charlotte and Charlotte would come together as one entity to honor Khyler,” said Stephen Casarella, student government vice president.

Corsaletti says she appreciates the support being shown to Khyler’s family.

For Charlotte County’s teen hero, the tributes honoring Khyler go beyond the game. The school provided all students with bracelets and pins with Khyler’s name.