Florida high school player dies at 18 after collapsing during game

Florida high school player dies at 18 after collapsing during game

A Florida high school football player died Friday night after collapsing during a game.

Chance Gainer played wide receiver and defensive back for Port St. Joe High School. The 18-year-old senior collapsed during a game at Liberty County High School.

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Gainer was running toward the game when he fell, Port St. Joe’s athletic director, Vice Principal Tim Davis, told the Northwest Florida Daily News. Coaches rushed to his side when he fell and immediately called for emergency services.

“He suddenly fell to the ground,” Davis told the newspaper.

A yellow penalty flag

The incident took place on Friday evening. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Gainer, who scored a touchdown in the game, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He later died at the hospital.

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Davis said there were about four minutes left in Friday’s game when school officials learned of the teen’s death. It was decided to finish the game with Port St. Joe winning, 28-0.

Gainer’s teammates were subsequently told that he had died.

The scene was heartbreaking. Parents rushed onto the field to comfort their children. “What a helpless feeling,” Davis said.

Gainer was an outstanding student who visited Vanderbilt University to discuss the possibility of attending, Gulf County School District Superintendent Jim Norton told WJHG-TV.

Chance Gainer was an excellent student.

Chance Gainer was an excellent student.

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Gainer “had world-class speed, but more importantly, he had a world-class personality,” Norton said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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