Seven Middle and High School Football Deaths in a Month Prompt Warnings: 'Keep Your Kids Safe'

The deaths of seven middle and high school students due to football-related incidents in August have prompted warnings from parents and others to prioritize sport safety measures.

13-year-old Cohen Craddock of West Virginia, 16-year-old Caden Tellier of Alabama, 15-year-old Jayvion Taylor of Virginia, 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins of Alabama, 15-year-old Robert James Gillon III of Florida, 16-year-old Leslie Noble of Maryland, and 15-year-old Ovet Gomez-Regalado of Maryland are among the seven deceased.

The causes of their deaths varied, including heatstroke, chest pains, and head injuries.

"Robert Craddock, Cohen's father, described his son as a "great, great kid" who loved sports, hunting, fishing, and was very social. He also said that his son was very big into church and just wanted to be happy. Cohen's father expressed pride in his son and said that he was "wanted everybody to like him.""

Robert Craddock stated that Cohen was in his second year of football when he suffered a fatal head injury during practice on Aug. 23.

Robert explained that he never dreamed he could be in the position he is in now. He was at football practice, just normal practice. Another boy was making a block. Cohen got tripped up, and he hit the ground. When he hit the ground, his head struck the ground. And that's what caused the head injury that ultimately led to his death.

The grieving father stated, "It's difficult for me to comprehend."

Robert has made it his mission to require football teams to use Guardian Caps, which are padded football helmet covers, for players since his son's death. According to Robert, the caps do not affect the helmets themselves but provide an extra layer of protection.

"Protect your kids at all costs." — Robert Craddock

"Protect your kids at all costs," he advised when asked for advice for parents whose children play football, "by stepping up, speaking to coaches about different techniques, or purchasing Guardian Caps on your own, let's do everything in our power to safeguard our kids."

On the same day that Cohen was injured, Tellier also sustained a head injury during the third quarter of his team's victory over Southern Academy in Selma, Alabama. Tragically, he passed away the following day.

"Caden Tellier, our boy, met Jesus face to face. His mother, Arsella Slagel Tellier, wrote about it in a Facebook post last month. She thanked everyone for their prayers and asked for them to continue during the difficult days ahead. Caden was known for his kindness, generosity, and love, and he was giving of himself one last time. His life had touched many, and now his passing would save lives. Arsella and her family will walk out these next few days alongside Caden in his earthly body, knowing that his spirit is rejoicing in heaven."

The Wetherington Law Firm in Georgia has expressed concerns about the safety of youth football after seven teen deaths in August. The firm is offering legal support to families affected by these tragedies and is advocating for better equipment, training, and awareness of the risks posed by extreme heat.

"These things are incredibly preventable. We have laws in the books already." — Matt Wetherington

Matt Wetherington, the founder of the firm, stated that school football remains the "wild west" in terms of enforcing safety measures to safeguard children from severe or fatal injuries. Despite the existence of state-mandated protections like the Georgia Return to Play Act, Heat Safety Guidelines, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, coaches and school boards are not adhering to these necessary safeguards.

Although foodball is considered sacred in Georgia, it is not "unique" in the sense that school districts and boards are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of students and parents, even though the sport involves a high level of physical contact.

"School boards and the state are responsible for the safety of student-athletes." — Matthew Wetherington

"Ensuring compliance with safety protocols, including cooling stations, emergency action plans, and immediate medical response readiness, is a legal obligation. Neglecting to comply can result in preventable injuries or fatalities," he stated.

Jordan McNair's father, Marty McNair, is advocating for other families to prevent heatstroke tragedies like the one that claimed his son's life during a football practice at the University of Maryland in 2018.

As a father who tragically lost my son, Jordan, to a preventable heat-related injury on the football field, I understand the unimaginable pain of losing a child. My heart goes out to the families who have experienced such tragedies. I know firsthand the devastation, and no parent should ever have to endure such a loss.

As the 2024 fall football season starts, his advice to parents is to always prioritize their child's safety.

"Ensure your child's safety while they play by understanding the safety measures in place. Ask about hydration protocols, heat management, and Emergency Action Plans. Encourage your child to speak up if they feel unwell or unsafe on the field. Teach them that their health is more important than any game. At The Jordan McNair Foundation, we help parents, athletes, and coaches prevent tragedies. Losing Jordan changed my life, and our mission is to ensure no other family faces what we did. Stay involved, stay informed, and prioritize your child's safety above all."

In 2023, the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research reported 16 football-related deaths, with nine of the victims being in middle or high school.

Over the past three academic years, there were a total of six football deaths in July and August, with 2021 having three deaths, 2022 having three deaths, and 2023 having two deaths, according to NCCSIR statistics.

In 2019, 2021, and 2023, traumatic deaths accounted for four deaths among middle and high school students, while exertional deaths accounted for nine deaths in 2019, seven in 2020, 11 in 2021, and five in 2022, according to NCCSIR.

Heat stroke deaths have been consistently high in certain years, such as 5 and 6, but not in the past decade. July and August are the months when the majority of heat stroke cases occur. This year, we have captured 3 heat stroke cases in middle/high school, which is similar to the number of cases in 2020 (4) and 2021 (3).

Heat-stroke related laws are less common among the 50 states, with only a few states, including Florida, Texas, California, New Jersey, and North Carolina, having such laws to prevent heat stroke.