A Byhalia High School football player died on Friday night after he collapsed on the field.
16-year-old Dennis Mitchell collapsed on the field during the second quarter of the team’s game on Friday night, and he was taken to the hospital where he would later pass away.
A statement from the Marshall County School District Superintendent Lela Hale to Fox 13 in Memphis stated that the defensive lineman was cheering on the offense from the sidelines when he collapsed and never regained consciousness.
“The Superintendent of the Marshall County School District, Lela Hale, expressed they are saddened by the death of 16-year-old, Dennis Mitchell, a Byhalia football player. The Byhalia Indians played Coahoma County in Clarksdale Friday night. According to his coaches, after playing a quarter and a half, the defensive lineman came off the field during the second quarter, and was cheering the offensive on the sidelines. He then collapsed. A parent with a medical background and paramedics rushed to him. He was taken to the hospital; however, he never regained consciousness. From what the coroner said last night, we do not know the cause of death. What we do know is that is is a tragedy and a tremendous loss for his family, our student body, and faculty and staff. It is heartbreaking! Please keep his family, our student body, and school personnel in your thoughts and prayers.” – Lela Hale.
Multiple reports state that Mitchell was injured earlier in the game, but was able to re-enter.
The exact cause of death has not been determined at this time.
Following Mitchell’s death, BHS posted the following message to their Facebook page.
