VERNON, Conn. — The man who killed University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard during an on-campus fight in 2009 was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison during an emotional court hearing at which he and Howard’s mother wept.

John Lomax, III, of Bloomfield, stabbed the 20-year-old defensive back in the abdomen during a fight between a group of football players and a group that included Lomax, authorities said. Investigators believe the fight started over a comment a player made about a woman.

Howard, a Miami native whose nickname was Jazz, died at a hospital from a single wound to his abdomen, just hours after helping the Huskies to a homecoming game win over Louisville.

The 22-year-old Lomax had been charged with murder, but in January pleaded no contest to first-degree manslaughter.

He broke down as he addressed Howard’s family in court.

“I know it hurts. I know it hurts.” he said. “I would never want this to happen to any family. You may despise me. I don’t despise you. We’re all God’s children.”