Calgary Stampeders defensive back Mylan Hicks was shot and killed early Sunday morning outside a Calgary nightclub.

Police said they were called to the scene on Macleod Trail S.W. at 2:30 a.m. for reports of a shooting.

“There was an altercation inside the bar at some point prior to closing time and that incident continued outside the bar and escalated to the point that rounds were fired and the victim was struck,” said Insp. Don Coleman, Calgary Police Service Major Crimes Section.

Paramedics took the victim to hospital where he died. The shockwaves were felt immediately as fellow Stampeders learned of the news.

“He was family, he was my little bro,” said Joshua Bell, defensive back. “We lost family, we’re hurt.”

“Everybody is talking about, when is the next time we are going to lose, it was last night, we lost the most devastating loss we could, and football doesn’t even seem important right now,” said Bo Levi Mitchell, quarterback. “We are going to honour him as much as we can, and play for him and his family.”

Stampeders General Manager John Hufnagel said Hicks was the kind of player every team wants.

“He worked hard every day to get better, and he had patience and all the traits you wanted to have in that locker room,” he said.

Police said three men were arrested shortly after the incident not far from the bar.

“One of those males in known to police, and investigators are continuing to work with witnesses to try to identify what roles each may have played in this incident,” said Coleman.

Players said they don’t know why Hicks would have been attacked.

“Wrong spot at the wrong time or mistaken identity, they may have thought he was somebody else, same colour shirt, something like that,” said Bell. “We go out, they know who we are, some people might kind of look and identify us as football players or, ok, those are the Stamps, so it’s tough to embrace that level of celebrity and the danger that comes with it.”

Hicks was born in Detroit and played for Michigan State, where he recorded a career-high 19 tackles and four pass break-ups in nine games in his senior year in 2014. He signed with the Stampeders in May and was on Calgary's practice roster. The loss of a promising young player resonated at every level of the CFL.

"Mylan was a respected young man throughout his collegiate and professional careers. As a member of the Calgary Stampeders, he was just starting to establish himself amongst his teammates, coaches and fans in the city. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mylan's family, friends, teammates and the Calgary Stampeders organization during this extremely difficult time," said Brian Ramsay, CFL Player’s Association, in a release.

“On behalf of our Board of Governors and the entire CFL community across Canada, I’d like to convey my deepest sympathies to Mylan’s family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Stampeders organization as they mourn this tragic loss,” said Jeffrey L. Orridge, CFL Commissioner, in a release.

Mylan Hicks was 23-years-old.