15-year-old Virginia high school football player dies after collapsing during practice
A beloved Virginia high school football player died on Monday during a team practice, leaving the community devastated.
The teen was a student at Hopewell High School. According to the school district, the incident occurred when the team took a water break after doing about 40 minutes of light drills "following standard safety protocols." Hopewell City Public Schools said the student collapsed 10 feet near the 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 district said. "The paramedics provided additional medical support and transported the student to the hospital right away."
The district did reveal the student's name, but local news station WTVR identified him as Jayvion Taylor. Superintendent Dr. Melody Hackney told The Progress-Index, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the player was 15 years old and a 10th-grade student.
"He was straight positive, like one of the best guys I’ve ever know," fellow player Orrin Besley told WTVR.
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'One of the most genuine' students, officials say
The district described Jayvion as a "light" and "one of the most genuine and remarkable students our staff have ever worked with."
"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," the statement continued.
Virginia Tech Football Coach Brent Pry acknowledged the student's death at a presser on Tuesday, WSLS reported.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hopewell High School football program," Pry said.
The high school is located in Hopewell, about 22 miles from Richmond.
Petition reveals community concerns
This week, friends and loved ones gathered for an emotional prayer vigil in the school gym to honor the teen's life. According to WWBT, his aunt said his cause of death has not yet been revealed. A balloon release is scheduled to be held at the Hopewell School Football Field on Saturday night.
A Change.org petition created on Tuesday called Jayvion's passing "preventable" and alleged that the football practice was held under "extreme conditions," adding that the school was humid and about 90 degrees that day.
"The air conditioning system, which fails every year, was again broken, leaving the floors wet with sweat and humidity," the petition stated. "Despite considering the option of closing the school, the decision was made to keep it open."
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it was as hot as 88 degrees on Monday, with a heat index of 90 to 98.
In the statement, the school district also noted that administrators completed the procurement process for athletic training services, which is slated to begin at the start of next week, Aug. 12. The school was closed on Tuesday "due to air conditioning issues," but classes resumed on Wednesday, officials said.
The petition included a list of demands, including upgrading the air conditioning system and communicating with parents and guardians about issues like gas leaks, air conditioning failures, and lockdown drills.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].