‘Cherished’ Texas High School Football Player Dies at 15 After Collapsing on Sideline During Game

NEED TO KNOW

• Daniel Rivera, a 15-year-old high school football player, has died
• The Corrigan-Camden Independent School District announced Rivera's death on Saturday, Oct. 4
• Rivera, a junior, had collapsed while on the sideline during his team's game on Sept. 26, in which he was not playing

An East Texas high school is mourning the loss of a teenage football player who collapsed on the sidelines during a late September game and died a week later.

The student, Daniel Rivera, died at age 15, the Corrigan-Camden Independent School District said in a “heartbreaking” announcement on social media on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Rivera had collapsed while on the sideline during his Corrigan-Camden High School team’s game on Friday, Sept. 26, the school district previously said.

Rivera, who was not playing that game, collapsed “due to a medical emergency unrelated to the game,” a joint statement from the school’s Superintendent Brian Aiken and Athletic Director Brett Ratliff said.

“He was there supporting his team during the game at the time and was promptly cared for by several individuals,” the school said, adding that they couldn’t share specifics about the “health-related details” surrounding the 15-year-old’s medical episode. The school announced that Rivera was in “critical condition and needs your prayers” the morning after the incident.

Rivera was flown to Texas Children’s Hospital, according to the Polk County Enterprise. Local CBS 19 reported that Rivera had undergone emergency surgery sometime after the collapse.

In the week and a half that followed, the Corrigan-Camden Independent School District had raised money to help Rivera’s family with medical costs, asking the community to continue to “please keep this young man and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

During that time, students and faculty wore blue to school in order “to show love and support” for Rivera. One second grade class in the school district held a face paint fundraiser to help the Rivera family, according to the school district’s Facebook page, while the school held a vigil on its high school football field on Oct. 1.

After his death, Rivera was remembered as “a passionate athlete, a loyal friend, and a cherished member” of its community, according to the school district’s statement over the weekend.

“Daniel was not only a dedicated student but also a passionate athlete, a loyal friend, and a cherished member of our Bulldog Family,” the school district’s statement read. “His energy, kindness and determination left a lasting impact on all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to Daniel’s family, friends and teammates, who all are grieving this profound loss. During this incredibly difficult time, we encourage everyone to support one another and honor Daniel’s memory through unity, compassion, and strength. Daniel will forever remain in our hearts.”

Ratliff, the athletic director, told the Enterprise that Rivera was a “hard-working, blue-collar kid.”

“He is an amazing kid with an amazing family,” Ratliff said about the junior lineman. “He is a very helpful person that has such a good heart. He is a very quiet and reserved guy, but he has a great sense of humor. He is an awesome kid and always wants to work hard. He never complains about anything.”

In a video shared on Facebook, Ratliff addressed Rivera’s death saying, “the more I reflect and the more I think of this simple quote that we learned” when he was a football player at the school.

“The quote’s this simple: Tough times don’t last, but tough people do,” the coach said. “So if we can cling to that and we use that as our mantra, I promise we’ll make it through this together.”

Read the original article on People