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

Mar. 15, 2025

Semaj Wilkins.Photo:Semaj Wilkins/Facebook

Semaj Wilkins/Facebook

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

Alabama’s Coffee County School Systemannouncedon 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 Wilkins.Semaj Wilkins/Facebook

“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 toldTODAYthat Wilkins suffered a “medical emergency” during warmups for football practice and collapsed.

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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 toSports 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, perSI.

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 theirwebsiteto help “assist with the funeral and burial expenses.”

source: people.com