A 14-year-old high school football player in the Bronx collapsed during practice Tuesday morning and died of an apparent heart attack.
A 14-year-old high school football player collapsed during practice in the Bronx on Tuesday and died of an apparent heart attack, officials said.
Dominick Bess, who attends the Mount St. Michael Academy on Murdock Ave. in Wakefield, fell to the ground around 9: 30 a.m., police and fire officials said.
Medics rushed the JV player to Montefiore Medical Center, where he died, police said.
“It was a normal practice like every day, ” said varsity football player Kianndrea Smith, 17, a senior.
HS football player dies after log fell on head in drill on L. I.
“One of my teammates told me someone was down. I said, ‘What happened?’ He said he didn’t know.”
Smith said he could see from across the field coaches and players running toward Bess. Smith’s teammate went to their coach and told him about the commotion.
“Our varsity coach ran down there to go help them and see what was wrong, ” he said.
Smith said the players prayed as the coaches and then medics tended to Bess.
Goodell needs to admonish players who romanticize dying on field
„It was emotional for everyone. We took the time to say a prayer. We’re going to do that every day from now on.“
In a statement, the school confirmed a player died after a non-contact drill, but did not identify him as Bess.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, as well as coaches, the team, and our student-athletes, ” school officials said. “Grief counselors will be at the school to help students cope with the tragedy.”
Smith said the varsity and JV don’ t practice together. He noted that both teams practice from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breaks in between. It was 79 degrees and the humidity hovered around 82% when Bess collapsed.
HS football player in S. C. dies after collapsing during practice
Smith said he never thought the football practices were too grueling.
“Every drill you get a water break, it’s not like they’re starving us or anything, ” he said.
Smith said he talked to Bess for the first time earlier Tuesday in the locker room:
“All I said was ‘Good morning’ and ‘I’ll see you on the field,’ ” he recalled.
Colo. high school football star dies in car-surfing accident
„It’s hard for us but we’re going to strive through for Dominick, “ he added. „We want a championship for him. Whatever the case may be, we’re going to go out there and put on for Dominick and his family.“
It was the second death of a local high school player during pre-season practice in August.
On Aug. 10, Sachem East cornerback Josh Mileto, 16, died on Long Island when a 400-pound, 10-foot section of a utility pole crushed him as he and four other boys carried in during practice.
On Friday, Sachem East’s head coach Mark Wojciechowski and an unnamed assistant coach were replaced for the season. The first game for Mileto’s team is Sept. 9, after they got a bye for the Sept. 1 game.
Zaevion Dobson died ‚a hero, ‚ President Obama says
Mileto’s family has retained a lawyer, but has not filed a notice of claim which would signal they plan to sue.
Mount St. Michael Academy is an all-boys Roman Catholic high school that enrolls about 800 students. Tuition ranges from $5,575 to $8,300.
The school is a member of the Catholic High School Athletic Association. According to the school web site, Mountaineers football practice began Thursday and was scheduled to occur daily in three sessions until Sept. 1.
The school boasts a 22-acre campus with a football field and stands seating up to 3,000.
California HS football player dies five days after freak accident
Mount St. Michael Academy officials didn’t respond to calls and emails seeking further comment. The team’s coaches could not be reached for comment.
