14-year-old Alabama high school football player collapses, dies at practice
A high school football player in Alabama died on Tuesday after collapsing during a team practice.
The teen, a freshman at New Brockton High School, suffered a “medical emergency” during an afternoon practice on August 13, according to a statement from the Coffee County School System.
The student was identified as 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins. A cause of death has not yet been released.
“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his peers, teammates, coaches, and faculty members,” said Coffee County Schools Superintendent Kelly Cobb in a statement on Thursday. “His loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew him.”
The school district is cooperating with the Coffee County district attorney’s office and sheriff’s department on an investigation. The school is also providing counseling support to students, parents, staff, families, and friends affected by the tragic death.
A vigil is scheduled at the New Brockton High School football stadium on Friday evening.
High school football player dies:15-year-old Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice
Latest high school football player to die at practice
Wilkins’ death is only the latest case of a high school football player collapsing at practice. Last week, 15-year-old Virginia high school football player Jayvion Taylor died after collapsing during a team practice on Aug. 5. Taylor was a tenth grade student at Hopewell High School, about 22 miles southeast of Richmond.
A Change.org petition created on August 6 called Jayvion's passing "preventable" and alleged that the football practice was held under "extreme conditions".
Wilkins’ mother, Regina Johnson-Adams, told local news station WDHN that her son, “just had a love for sports, period.”
Johnson-Adams also told the news station that she held no ill will towards the school and hoped to see more safety precautions taken in the future, adding that, “At this time, I know my son was healthy … it was probably something that we missed. You never know because we do have underlying health problems in our family.”
Contributing: Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY
Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected]