The family of slain football star Lance McDowdell is breaking their silence in an exclusive interview with News 12.

The 25-year-old Mount Vernon football star, turned pro player for the Arizona Rattlers, was gunned down in Phoenix right before Christmas.

His family says they are still waiting for answers and struggling to make sense of his death.

They described McDowdell as a bright light who touched lives on and off the field. "My brother he was just amazing, he was an amazing human being, he was loving. He was forgiving. He was one of a kind. Irreplaceable," says McDowdell’s sister Asia Atterbery.

Police in Arizona have not made a statement on whether or not they are close to capturing his killer.

News 12 will bring you the full exclusive interview tonight at 5 p.m.