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Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs08/08/24grant_grubbs_
Jayvion Taylor
© Bill Atkinson/progress-index.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

On Monday, Hopewell High School (VA) football player Jayvion Taylor died after collapsing at a team practice. The school district provided further details on Taylor’s death in a post on Facebook.

“What occurred yesterday was that our team was at practice about 40 minutes into light drills, following standard safety protocols,” the statement read. “After returning from a water break, the student collapsed about 10 feet from a coach.

“Two coaches were in the vicinity and immediately performed CPR and called 911. An AED was on grounds, but the paramedics arrived promptly and prior to the AED being used. The paramedics provided additional medical support and transported the student to the hospital right away.”

Jayvion Taylor was 15 years old and a 10th grader at Hopewell. According to WWBT, his aunt said his cause of death has not yet been revealed. At a press conference on Tuesday, Virginia Tech football head coach Brent Pry acknowledged Taylor’s death.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hopewell High School football program,” Pry said.

On Wednesday, Hopewell held a vigil for Taylor inside its gymnasium, where hundreds of people gathered to remember the student-athlete. Taylor’s family — father Javon Taylor, mother Alicia Trotter, and grandmothers Pamela Taylor and Janice Trotter — were in attendance.

The vigil included speeches from school administrators and coaches, with tears and prayers being shared. In its statement to Facebook, the school district remembered Taylor’s excellent character.

“We respect the privacy of the family during this time, but do want to share that this 15-year-old young man was considered one of the most genuine and remarkable students our staff have ever worked with,” the statement read. “He was considered a ‘light’ to all who met him and left a lasting impact.

“Our coaches and team are about much more than just football and are devastated. We respectfully ask that the entire school community be allowed time to grieve the overwhelming loss of this remarkable young man.”

Hopewell High School was closed on Tuesday due to air condition issues but resumed on Wednesday. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch,  temperatures reached upwards of 88 degrees on Monday, with a heat index of 90 to 98.

On Tuesday, a Change.org petition claimed the football practice on the day of Taylor’s death was conducted under “extreme conditions.” Further, the petition demanded the school improves its air conditioning system and communication with parents. As of this report, the petition has over 1,900 signatures.