POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist is mourning the loss of one of the most electrifying players to wear its uniform. Juston Christian, who played wide receiver for the Red Foxes from 2015-18, has passed away at the age of 27.
 
Juston was humble and quiet by nature and never sought the limelight, but his prodigious talent found it, nonetheless. He was the most productive wide receiver in Marist history, and he was one of the best the Pioneer Football League has ever seen.             
 
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Juston's passing," former Marist head coach Jim Parady said. "My heart is heavy for his family during this difficult time. Juston made an impact on all our lives in the Marist football program with his on-field excellence and as someone who always helped his teammates. I have and always will cherish our time together. Our prayers are with his family."
 
Juston holds Marist's football's records for career receiving yards (4,069), career receiving touchdowns (34), single-game receiving yards (274), and single-season receiving touchdowns (15, in 2018). He is tied for first in program history with three receiving touchdowns in a game, and he is the only player in program history to accomplish that feat three times. The 4,069 receiving yards are also the most in the 33-year history of the Pioneer Football League.
 
And while his accomplishments will be remembered for years to come, so will the friendships and bonds he formed with his teammates. Fellow Maryland native Isaiah Watson also played wide receiver for the Red Foxes from 2015-18, and shared memories of a friend who was genuine and loved his sport.
 
"From his talent and humble demeanor on the field and genuine compassion off it, Juston Christian gave his time and effort to ensure anyone who was around him felt heard and supported," Isaiah said. "No matter who you were, if you shared his love of football, you would find yourself in a heated debate that would either have you crying from laughter or re-thinking your whole perspective on the game."

The sentiments about Juston extended throughout the locker room, and were also shared by Wesley Beans, who played safety for the Red Foxes from 2014-18 and was a captain in his final two seasons.
 
"Juston was so much more than a great football player; he was an amazing friend, teammate, and brother," Wesley said. "I think I can speak for us all that knew him, that we are so grateful to have had him in our lives. Juston, no matter how successful he was on the field, was humble and kind. His passion for the game carried over into every area of his life, as he cared deeply for those he called friends. It's a hard loss, and we all miss and mourn him deeply. We love you, Juston."

Juston's love of the game combined with his natural talent resulted in spectacular performances that started in his freshman year. In 2015, he burst onto the scene on a Saturday night in September at Tenney Stadium against Sacred Heart. His first reception went for 30 yards in the first quarter, and his most impressive one was a diving effort that went for 45 yards midway through the second quarter. He had four receptions for 117 yards by halftime, and the postgame fireworks only matched what transpired on the turf in the Red Foxes' 34-27 victory.
 
Juston's performance on Sept. 19, 2015 was a microcosm of what his career as a Red Fox became. Simply put, no one made more big plays than him. He led the Football Championship Subdivision in yards per reception as a freshman, and he was named Second Team All-PFL. Three straight First Team All-PFL selections followed, and while the strength of his numbers grew every year, he truly saved the best for last.
 
On Oct. 6, 2018, Juston truly put on a historical performance at Columbia. Although the Red Foxes came up short by a final count of 34-24, he caught seven passes for 274 yards and scored all three of Marist's touchdowns. The 274 yards remain a single-game program record, and are still the most allowed by Columbia in its 1,169-game history of football. Just two weeks later, he nearly duplicated that feat while playing a starring role in one of the most exciting games in program history. Juston helped lead Marist back from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter as the Red Foxes defeated Davidson 48-41 in double overtime. He caught three touchdown passes and had 246 yards receiving, a total only exceeded in program history by his own performance 14 days earlier.
 
Following the 2018 season, Juston was named a Third Team FCS All-American by STATS and Phil Steele Publications. He went on to play for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League in 2021, and he signed with the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders in 2022.
 
Juston departed Marist in the spring of 2019 while training for the NFL Draft. He returned to earn his bachelor's degree in the spring of 2025.
 
"Juston's constant burning passion to succeed influenced and motivated countless teammates," Isaiah said. "However, I think Juston should be remembered for his ability to make every person he touched feel valued. In a world where people often forget to slow down and connect, Juston never hesitated. He listened, he encouraged, and he uplifted; not because he had to, but because that's who he was at his core."
 
A memorial service for Juston will be held this coming Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-noon at St. John Baptist Church on 9055 Tamar Drive in Columbia, Maryland.