The boy’s family, along with school officials, confirmed that the adolescent, who was gravely injured during a high school football game last month, passed away this week from his injuries.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday that Christopher Garcia, a 16-year-old student at South Gate High School in Los Angeles, passed away following a brain injury sustained during a home game on August 23.
In a statement to the school community on Wednesday, principal Eric Jaimes said, “I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students.” “I would like to extend my sincere condolences on behalf of our entire school community… Every member of the South East High School community is important, and we are all affected by this loss.”
According to local KTLV-TV, Garcia was injured on a tackle during a junior varsity game and was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
A district official informed USA TODAY that there were two medical staff on the scene at the time of the event. They verified that the district mandates that the home team have an athletic trainer or emergency medical technician present before to kickoff.
According to Jaimes, students can get crisis counsellors from the district.
‘A vibrant and passionate young man’
Garcia was described by his family as “a vibrant and passionate young man who brought joy and energy to everyone around him” in an online campaign set up to assist with the teen’s burial costs. He was a devoted football player in high school, well-known for his energy both on and off the pitch. Christopher was a devoted friend, sibling, and loving son in addition to his athletic prowess.
The campaign was started on Wednesday by Jennifer Guadamuz, who wrote, “This unexpected loss has left a profound impact on their family.” “We’re coming together to support them during this incredibly challenging time.”
In order to support the family, more than 300 people had collected about $18,000 of the $40,000 target as of Friday. Funeral plans were still being finalised.
Two other teen football players die from injuries
Garcia passed away less than two weeks following two more incidents of a similar nature.
High school quarterback Caden Tellier of Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, passed away on August 24, one day after sustaining a head injury during the team’s season-opening home game, according to reports from the Montgomery Advertiser, a USA TODAY Network affiliate. Tellier was a junior, sixteen years old.
And on August 20, in West Virginia, Cohen Craddock, an eighth-grader at Madison Middle School, passed away just one day after suffering an injury during football practice.
The player received a head injury, according to Joseph Smith, executive director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority, who spoke with WSAZ-TV, the local news station.
UNC research institute: 11 football players have died since July 1, 2024
Nine of the 11 middle and high school football players who have passed away since July 1 have had a football-related cause of death, according to Randi DeLong, a spokesman for the National Centre for Catastrophic Sport Injury, who talked with USA TODAY on Friday.
According to DeLong, the research facility situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, records instances of sudden cardiac arrest that occur outside of sporting contexts, such as during sleep, rest, or individual athletic endeavours.
According to the centre, 16 football players from child leagues to collegiate levels passed away last year for a variety of reasons, such as unrelated activities or serious injuries sustained on the pitch.
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