Semaj Wilkins, a freshman and varsity football player at New Brockton High School dropped dead on Tuesday afternoon.
He collapsed unexpectedly on the field during a routine practice.
According to Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham, Wilkins was participating in drills when he suffered a medical emergency.
Despite immediate medical attention and transport to Medical Center Enterprise, the young teenager was unresponsive.
He was pronounced dead by doctors shortly after, WSAZ3 reported.
“While additional details will be released later, I am asking the community to continue to be in prayer for his family, his teammates, his coaches, and all affected by the tragic loss of Mr. Wilkins,” Woodham said.
Today reported that the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. while the team was going through warmups.
“It’s dealt a real blow to this small community,” Woodham told the outlet.
“I’ve been here all my life and this is the first time I’ve seen or heard of anything like this occurring here.”
In a statement on Thursday, Coffee County Schools Superintendent Kelly Cobb wrote:
“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his peers, teammates, coaches, and faculty members. His loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew him.”
Wilkins’ mother, Regina Johnson-Adams, told local TV station WDHN that her son had a “love for sports.”
She said her “son was healthy.”
Johnson-Adams said she wasn’t aware of any underlying health issues in her son before his sudden death.
“At this time, I know that my son was healthy,” Johnson-Adams told WDHN.
“It was probably something that we missed.
“You never know because we do have underlying health problems in our family.”
The cause of Wilkins’ death has not been revealed.
The New Brockton Police Department and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office have launched a routine joint investigation into the incident.
Friends and families have taken to social media to express their shock and pay tribute to Wilkins.
In a post on Facebook, Wilkins’ relative, Lotoya Bethea, wrote:
“God, I thank you for another day, but waking up to the reality that Semaj Wilkins, my other son, as Regina Johnson-Adams and I always say, is truly gone to be with the Lord is just not registering.
“My heart and soul cry out for these young people.
“So many are hurting right now, and we must pray and embrace these children.
“My son, Isaiha, had a very restless night, but this too shall pass, and we will understand it better by and by.
“To all of the family, my prayers are with you, and we will get through this with God on our side.
“Thank you, Lord, for the years you gave us with him.
“Take your rest now, baby. I love you, Semaj.”
In another Facebook post, Wilkins’ aunt, LaSandra Flowers-Robinson, said:
“Thank you all the EMS and Rescue staff yesterday who tried to save my nephew’s life on the field.
“Thank you, coach, for calling me asap when the tragedy occurred. I dropped and ran to the field, praying that he was ok, but God had other plans, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the family support at the New Brockton High School.
“When I tell you that Gamecock Nation showed up they definitely did all my boy wanted to be was a Gamecock!
“I’m not good, but I have to be for my sister.
“We will be taking visitation at 803 Dixie Dr., Enterprise Alabama.”
The latest tragedy comes just over a week after a high school football player in Virginia passed away on the field after a similar collapse at practice.
No comments:
Post a Comment