"New Brockton High School football player identified as deceased following Tuesday's incident, according to report"

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A New Brockton High School Football Player Identified After Tragic Death at Practice

Updated: Aug. 14, 2024, 11:07 a.m. | Published: Aug. 14, 2024, 11:05 a.m.

By Thomas Ashworth | tashworth@al.com Ben Thomas | bthomas@al.com

A The New Brockton High School football player who tragically passed away after collapsing during practice on Tuesday has been identified as 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins, according to a report from WTYV on Wednesday. Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham confirmed the identity of the freshman student.

A Heath Harmon, Executive Director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), held a moment of silence to honor Wilkins during AHSAA Media Day in Montgomery. Many coaches, school employees, and public officials have taken to social media to express their support and condolences to the community.

A“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, the community, and the school,” said Harmon.

New Brockton Coach Jason Barnett announced on Wednesday that the scheduled scrimmage against Barbour County has been canceled.

A Coffee County Superintendent Kelly Cobb issued a statement late Tuesday night, expressing the district's grief: “Our Coffee County School System family is mourning the loss of a New Brockton High School freshman who passed away after a medical emergency late this afternoon. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation, and the Coffee County School System will fully cooperate with both agencies. Starting tomorrow, we will have our crisis response team, which includes counselors, pastors, and other support staff, available at New Brockton High School to provide support for the family, friends, classmates, teachers, and other school staff. Our hearts are broken for the family’s loss, and our prayers are with them as they mourn. We ask that the family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

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