A flag at Stagg Stadium was seen flying half-staff Friday, and students at Bogan High School said there was a definite sadness gripping the school following Smith’s death.
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The Illinois High School Association, which oversees prep sports in the state, said Smith is the first high school football player to die in Illinois since 2012.
Andre Smith, a 17-year-old senior at Bogan High School, died from blunt-force head injuries due to the on-field accident, according to the Cook County medical examiner.
A Chicago high school football player died Friday after an injury sustained during a game on Thursday evening, the seventh high school football death this fall. And on October 18, 16-year-old Cam’ron Matthews died two days after collapsing during a football game in Texas.
“I was on my out and then they told me someone collapsed”, Weston said. He was breathing at the time, but not conscious, according to fire officials.
“After that they said he passed out over there, he fell down”, Jimmy Smith said. He was taken to a hospital but never regained consciousness. “I checked his vitals and gave him oxygen”.
The sudden loss of the Bogen High School student has left friends and family stunned. “As anyone who has participated in athletics knows, there is a risk of injury any time a player steps on the field of play”.
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“He was just an exciting kid”, Cantrell Davis, a good friend who played football with Smith at Rich Central, said.
