Current:Home > MarketsLos Angeles high school football player hurt during game last month dies from brain injury -Wealthify
Los Angeles high school football player hurt during game last month dies from brain injury
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:04:01
A Southern California teenager critically hurt last month during a high school football game died this week from his injuries, the boy's loved ones and school officials announced.
Christopher Garcia, a 16-year-old junior at South Gate High School in Los Angeles, died after suffering a brain injury during an Aug. 23 home game, a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday.
“I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students," the school's principal Eric Jaimes announced Wednesday in a message sent to the school community. "On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences ... Every member of the South East High School community matters and this loss impacts us all."
Garcia was hurt during a tackle during a junior varsity game, local KTLV-TV reported, and taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
At the time of the incident there were two medical personnel on site, the district spokesperson told USA TODAY. The district, they confirmed, requires the home team to have an EMT or athletic trainer on site before the game begins.
Jaimes said the district was offering crisis counselors to students.
Teen football player deaths:A Kansas high school football player dies from a medical emergency. It's the 3rd case this month.
'A vibrant and passionate young man'
The teen's family described Garcia as “a vibrant and passionate young man who brought joy and energy to everyone around him," according to an online fundraiser created to help his family with funeral expenses. "As a dedicated high school football player, he was known for his enthusiasm on and off the field. Beyond his athletic talents, Christopher was a loving son, sibling, and a loyal friend.”
"This unexpected loss has left a profound impact on their family," Jennifer Guadamuz, who created the fundraiser on Wednesday, wrote. "We’re coming together to support them during this incredibly challenging time."
As of Friday, more than 300 people had raised nearly $18,000 of a requested $40,000 goal to help the family, and funeral arrangements were pending.
Two other teen football players die from injuries
Garcia's death comes less than two weeks after two other similar tragedies.
At Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, high school quarterback Caden Tellier died Aug. 24, one day after suffering a brain injury during the team's season home opener, according to reporting by the Montgomery Advertiser, a part of the USA TODAY Network. Tellier was a 16-year-old junior.
And on Aug. 20 in West Virginia, Madison Middle School eight-grader Cohen Craddock died one day after being injured in football practice.
Joseph Smith, executive director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority, told local news station WSAZ-TV that the player had sustained a head injury.
Why isn't Rashee Rice suspended?What we know about Chiefs WR's legal situation
UNC research institute: 11 football players have died since July 1, 2024
Since July 1, 11 middle and high school football players have died across the nation, with nine related to football, Randi DeLong, spokesperson for the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury told USA TODAY on Friday.
The research institute based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, also captures sudden cardiac arrest events outside of sports − for example when they take place during sleep, at rest, or during personal athletic activity, DeLong said.
Last year, the center reported, 16 football players ranging from youth leagues to the collegiate level died for reasons including traumatic injuries on the field to activities not related to football.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY; Marty Roney, Montgomery Advertiser
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (462)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Beavers reintroduced to west London for first time in 400 years to improve biodiversity
- AP PHOTOS: Crippling airstrikes and humanitarian crisis in war’s 6th day
- Polish government warns of disinformation after fake messages are sent out before election
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- 'Walk the talk' or face fines: EU boss tells Musk, Zuckerberg and Tik Tok chief
- As strikes devastate Gaza, Israel forms unity government to oversee war sparked by Hamas attack
- Who witnessed Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing in Las Vegas? Here’s what we know
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Researchers find fossils of rare mammal relatives from 180 million years ago in Utah
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Thai and Filipino workers filling labor gap in Israel get caught up in war between Israel and Hamas
- Walmart will close its doors on Thanksgiving Day for fourth consecutive year, CEO says
- Watching the world premiere of 'Eras Tour' movie with Taylor Swift felt like a dance party
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- 'Total War: Pharaoh' and 'Star Trek: Infinite': boldly going where we've been before
- Mom of Israeli-American soldier killed in Hamas terror attack: You will live on forever in my heart.
- 'Total War: Pharaoh' and 'Star Trek: Infinite': boldly going where we've been before
Recommendation
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Argentina World Cup qualifier vs. Paraguay: Live stream and TV info, Lionel Messi status
Woman accused of killing pro cyclist tries to escape custody ahead of Texas murder trial: She ran
Social Security recipients will get a smaller increase in benefits as inflation cools
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
Police say woman stabbed taxi driver on interstate before injuring two others at the Atlanta airport
Walmart will close its doors on Thanksgiving Day for fourth consecutive year, CEO says
Penguins' Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang set record for longevity as teammates