Connecticut High School Football Player Dies Suddenly At 15

A high school football player in Connecticut suddenly died after he lost consciousness Tuesday during football practice, according to school officials.

Police and emergency medical technicians gave CPR to Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, an eleventh grade student at Windsor High School, district superintendent Terrence Hill said, per The Associated Press (AP). The school district says the 15-year-old was not participating in any football drills nor any tackles, per NBC Connecticut.

Hill also reportedly said Rivera was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, but “sadly, the medical professionals were unable to revive him.”

Crisis counselors were available Wednesday for Windsor students and staff, according to Hill.

“As a community we want to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and support them moving forward however we can,” Hill said.

Rivera’s cause of death is currently unknown.

 

“It’s always tragic to lose somebody so young, particularly a community like Windsor, that is such a tight-knit group,” Dr. Glenn Lungarini, the executive director of the Interscholastic Athletic Conference in Connecticut, said.

“They know as well that while they’re sad they’re not sad alone right now. They have each other, and they’ll use those relationships and the spirit of who Elijah was to carry them through this.” (RELATED: One Of ESPN’s Greatest Of All Time — Hockey Legend Barry Melrose — Forced To Retire After Parkinson’s Diagnosis)

PSATs were initially scheduled for Wednesday, according to students via NBC Connecticut. However, testing has been postponed out of respect for Rivera.