LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A ninth-grade football player for Hollywood High School has died, following his sudden collapse after carrying the ball during a game Friday evening at West Adams Prep.
The teenager was declared dead Saturday afternoon at Childrens Hospital, where he'd been rushed after collapsing while jogging to the sideline with about two minutes left in the freshman-sophomore game.
An autopsy was planned, to determine the exact cause of death.
Grief counselors worked with some of the boy's teammates over the weekend, and will be on campus at Hollywood High on Monday to help other students cope with the tragedy.
The dead boy's cousin, Chris Corvera, told KCAL-9 News "Everyone's upset, you know, it's pretty sad because you don't expect this to happen, like you're here today, you're not here tomorrow."
Friends and a coach described the young player as a dedicated athlete, who ran marathons and did well in school.
Coach and marathon trainer Bonnie Anderson said "It's the kind of kid that you want to teach, who makes you want to follow him throughout his life because you know he's going to do amazing things."
Paramedics took the player to the hospital and the game was halted.
Last month, a 17-year-old Garden Grove High School football player collapsed and died during a game. But coroner's investigators have yet to disclose the cause of death in that case.
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