Texas high school football player passes away after medical crisis at practice

According to a WFAA.com report, a sophomore Texas high school football player at Lancaster High School passed away on Wednesday after experiencing a “medical emergency” at a practice earlier in the week. The player’s identity has not been made public by the Lancaster Independent School District.

School officials have canceled the football practices for the rest of the week. The team’s scheduled preseason scrimmage against North Forney has also been called off.

LISD released a statement that said the sophomore junior varsity football player told coaches during Monday’s practice that he was not feeling well. He began receiving treatment from school trainers that followed the state athletic association’s heat safety protocol.

“Our Lancaster ISD athletic training staff carefully followed all UIL and district heat safety protocols and procedures, which included adjusting practice times, utilizing indoor facilities, maintaining hydration stations, monitoring real-time heat conditions, and ensuring certified athletic trainers were on site,” the statement said. “When the medical emergency occurred, our staff responded immediately and with great care for our student.”

The school district said that the player was transferred by EMS to a nearby hospital for further evaluation after showing signs of improvement after his initial treatment from trainers. He passed away on Wednesday morning.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) heat safety protocols mandate that all member schools have an emergency action plan in place for athletic events, which includes Texas high school football practices. These UIL protocols emphasize rapid cooling, unlimited access to water, rest breaks and require a designated cooling zone when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Lancaster ISD superintendent Dr. A.K. Perera also released a statement regarding the student-athlete’s death:

“Our hearts are broken, and we extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teammates, and teachers during this unimaginable time of loss,” Perera said. “We ask our community to join us in keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.”

The Tigers’ varsity team is scheduled to start its Texas high school football season next Thursday on the road against defending UIL Class 6A Div. II state champion North Crowley. Lancaster finished the 2024 season with a 5-7 mark and fell to Longview in the area round of the Class 6A Div. II playoffs.