A high school student died after suffering injuries during a football game, and the moment of his fatal injury was caught on camera (video below).
Andre Jackson, a 17-year-old Ohio student, succumbed to injuries following a game at Euclid High School near Cleveland.
“It was a pooch kick,” coach Jeff Rotsky said. “He was going for the ball, and their guys were going for the ball, and I think he got kicked or kneed.”
Rotsky said that the injury occurred during a “completely normal” special teams play. Jackson reportedly walked off the field after the incident, went to the hospital and was released. While the cause of death was initially unknown, it was ultimately concluded that he died from peritonitis — inflammation of the abdominal cavity lining.
“He is irreplaceable,” Rotsky told WEWS, KTRK reported. “There will never be a smile like Andre Jackson’s. No matter how much you asked him to do, he would do it for you. That’s the type of young man we unfortunately lost today.”
The school subsequently issued an official statement on Jackson’s death.
“Today, Euclid High School junior Andre L. Jackson passed away following an injury sustained during Friday night’s football game,” the statement read. “Andre was a hardworking student-athlete that brought smiles to all those with whom he came in contact. The Euclid City School District would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Jackson family during this horrific time.”
The Solon City School District, the opponent at the game that ultimately cost Jackson his life, also issued a statement mourning his loss.
“The Solon Schools are mourning the loss tonight of Euclid High School student Andre L. Jackson, who passed away earlier today. A junior and member of the Panthers football team, Andre was 17,” the district’s statement read.