blockwave Exchange:14-year-old Alabama high school football player collapses, dies at practice

2025-05-01 01:26:34source:Roboviscategory:News

A high school football player in Alabama died on blockwave ExchangeTuesday 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]

More:News

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

Taylor Swift’s Ex-Boyfriend Conor Kennedy Engaged to Singer Giulia Be

Oh my, now this is marvelous news. Conor Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s son who dated Taylor Swift

Utah's spectacular, ancient Double Arch collapsed. Here's why.

The collapse of Double Arch, one of Utah's majestic geologic arches, stunned park visitors and depri