Alabama High School Football Player Dies Following 'Medical Emergency' During Practice

A high school student from Alabama is dead after experiencing a medical emergency during football practice.

Alabama’s Coffee County School System announced on social media on Thursday, Aug. 15, that New Brockton High School student Semaj Wilkins died on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The county’s coroner’s office said Wilkins, who was a football player, experienced a “medical emergency” and was transported to the hospital before he died. 

“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his peers, teammates, coaches, and faculty members,” the Coffee County School System said in a statement. “His loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew him.”

The Coffee County Coroner’s Office said that the incident is being investigated by the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office.

“This is a very emotional time for [Wilkins’] family and the Emergency Responders involved,” the coroner’s office said in its statement, adding that it asked others to “please respect and pray for the family during this difficult time.”

Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham told TODAY that Wilkins suffered a “medical emergency” during warmups for football practice and collapsed.

The New Brockton High School freshman was given CPR on the field while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. They arrived on the scene within minutes and transported Wilkins to the nearby Medical Center Enterprise where he was pronounced dead.

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“It’s dealt a real blow to this small community,” Woodham said. “I’ve been here all my life and this is the first time I’ve seen or heard of anything like this occurring here.”

Wilkins’ body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy, which may take several weeks to complete, according to Sports Illustrated. 

The Coffee County School System said a vigil would be held for Wilkins on Friday, Aug. 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Brockton High School Football Stadium. That was the location and date the New Brockton High School’s football team was scheduled to scrimmage against Barbour County, per SI. 

The school said in a post on Facebook that it invites everyone “to join us in celebrating the life of Semaj Wilkins and to honor his mother, Regena Adams” and “come together” to “remember the positive impact Semaj made on our community.”

The school system also announced that it will be helping the Wilkins’ family collect payment contributions both in person and through their website to help “assist with the funeral and burial expenses.”