14-year-old Alabama high school football player dies during practice
A high school football player in Alabama died Tuesday after collapsing during a team practice.
The teenager, a freshman at New Brockton High School, suffered a “medical emergency” during an afternoon practice on Aug. 13, according to a statement from the Coffee County School System.
The student was identified as 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins. The cause of death has not yet been released.
“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his classmates, teammates, coaches and teachers,” Coffee County Schools Superintendent Kelly Cobb said in a statement Thursday. “His loss is deeply regretted by all who knew him.”
The school district is cooperating with the District Attorney’s Office and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation. The school is also offering counseling services to students, parents, staff, family and friends affected by the tragic death.
A vigil is planned for Friday evening at the New Brockton High School football stadium.
High school football player dies: 15-year-old Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice
Last high school football player to die during practice
Wilkins’ death is just the latest case of a high school football player collapsing during practice. Last week, 15-year-old high school football player Jayvion Taylor of Virginia died after collapsing during a team practice on Aug. 5. Taylor was a 10th-grader at Hopewell High School, about 22 miles southeast of Richmond.
An August 6 Change.org petition called Jayvion’s death “preventable” and claimed the football practice took place 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 bears no ill will toward the school and hopes more safety precautions are taken in the future. She added, “At this point, I know my son is healthy… it was probably something we missed. You never know because we have a family history of health issues.”
Contributor: Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY
Max Hauptman is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
