Alabama high school student dies after collapsing during football practice

An Alabama community is mourning the unexpected death of a high school student. Semaj Wilkins was at a football practice at New Brockton High School when he suddenly collapsed.

On Aug. 13, Wilkins was warming up when he suffered a medical emergency at about 4:30 p.m. After administering CPR on the sector, paramedics transported him to a close-by medical facility. The 14-year-old was pronounced dead a short while later. The temperature in the world that day was According to According to the National Weather Service, the temperature was 96 degrees.

“This is a real blow to this small community,” said Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham, Reported by “I’ve lived here all my life and this is the first time I’ve seen or heard of anything like this happening.”

School district Superintendent Kelly Cobb also shared a press release about Wilkins’ death on Facebook. She wrote that the young teen “brought joy and inspiration” to those he knew throughout the community. A vigil was also held on the school’s football field on Aug. 16.

“Semaj (Wilkins) was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his peers, teammates, coaches and faculty members. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him,” Cobb said. “We encourage everyone to come together to support each other and remember the positive impact Semaj had on our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this most difficult time.”

The mother of a high school student, Regina Johnson-Adams, Expressed local reporters that her son appeared healthy before the tragic incident.

“At this point, I know my son was healthy… It was probably something we missed,” Johnson-Adams told WDHN. “You never know because there are underlying health issues in our family.”

Cobb said in a subsequent statement that the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office have opened an investigation into Wilkins’ death.

Wilkins’ reason behind death stays unclear, with autopsy results expected in the approaching weeks.