(5MinNewsBreak.com) – In a tragic incident over the weekend in West Virginia, a young middle school athlete succumbed to injuries incurred during a football practice session.
The player, identified as Cohen Craddock, a thirteen-year-old eighth-grade student at Madison Middle School, tragically passed away in a medical facility following a severe head trauma.
According to a report by WSAZ, Cohen was engaged in a tackling maneuver when he sustained critical injuries that led to cerebral hemorrhage and subsequent swelling.
Following the incident, Cohen’s father, Ryan Craddock, recounted to the press the sequence of events that unfolded after his son’s injury.
Despite initially managing to rise and take a few steps post-collision, Cohen soon collapsed and lost consciousness, detailed a report by The Associated Press (AP), cited by The Daily Caller.
Expressing his profound grief and shock, Ryan Craddock shared his emotional turmoil with WSAZ, stating, “You’re in disbelief. You wish it was a bad dream you could wake up from. It’s agony inside. I can’t put words to — It’s terrible.”
The loss of Cohen has profoundly impacted the school community.
Shann Elkins, the principal of Madison Middle School, remembered Cohen as an exemplary and bright young individual, deeply integrated into the fabric of the school environment.
Elkins’ sentiment was echoed by Boone County Superintendent Matthew Riggs, who, through a formal statement, assured that the school’s students, faculty, and staff would be provided with necessary counseling and support services to navigate through this difficult time.
Reflecting on his son’s involvement in football, Ryan Craddock revealed to WSAZ that Cohen was in his second year of participation in the sport, cherishing not just the gameplay but the camaraderie and social interactions it fostered.
“He liked the social gathering part, just making buddies,” Ryan Craddock recounted during his discussion with WSAZ.
Driven by a determination to prevent any further such tragedies, Ryan Craddock expressed his intent to advocate for enhanced protective measures for young athletes.
He shared with WSAZ his plans to support the adoption of Guardian Caps, a piece of equipment designed to offer additional safety for players’ heads.
“I want to take the loss of my boy to try to protect the other guys. I don’t want anybody else to go through what we are going through currently,” he firmly stated.
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