Father of 3 NCAA football players among dead in crash

The University of Virginia says the father of a Cavaliers football player was among the five people killed in a plane crash in Alaska.

The school said Wednesday that tight end Colter Phillips left the team to be with his family after his father, William Phillips Sr., was killed in the crash that also claimed the life of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. Phillips' brother, 13-year-old William Jr., was injured.

Phillips is also the father of the father of Stanford starting left guard Andrew Phillips, and Indiana University tight end Paul Phillips.

"We are struck with deep sadness by the tragic and sudden loss of Bill Phillips," Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh said in a statement. "The hearts and prayers of our entire team and staff extend to the Phillips family and the families of those lost in the crash. A man could hardly live a more full life than Bill, whose kindness and friendship touched us all deeply. His legacy lives on through his four sons, four incredible young men he raised."

Investigators are still working to determine why the float plane crashed into a mountain during a fishing trip. The younger Phillips was one of four survivors of Monday's crash.

Bill Phillips Sr. played football at Evansville from 1972-76, wand Paul Phillips' mother, Janet, was a college swimmer who now competes in equestrian events.

San Jose Mercury News contributed to this report