A 15-year-old Virginia high school football student and football player died on Monday after collapsing during a team practice, according to outlets including USA TODAY.
Hopewell High School sophomore Jayvion Taylor passed away due to a heart attack, his family told local news outlet CBS 6 News Richmond. About 40 minutes into what the team described as light drills during practice, the team took a water break and Taylor collapsed. Two coaches performed CPR while 911 was called, and paramedics transferred him to the hospital.
According to CBS 6, the new athletic training services were contracted to begin on Aug. 12. News viewers had previously emailed CBS 6 stating that the previous athletic trainer had been let go and not yet replaced.
A petition on change.org states that football practice was held during “extreme” weather conditions, with temperatures reaching around 90 degrees with high humidity. The petition claims the air conditioning system “was again broken.”
The petition made three demands: fixing the air conditioner, adjusting the phone policy that requires phones to be locked in pouches, and increasing transparency and communication to parents and guardians.
Taylor’s peers spoke glowingly of the teenager to news outlets.
From classmate Chase Stith: “It didn’t matter who you were. If you were one of the most known people of the school, or if you were somebody who wasn’t talkative, he would try to get to know you and understand you.”
Teammate Orrin Besley: “He was straight positive, like one of the best guys I’ve ever know.”
Read more details at CBS 6 News Richmond.