A beloved Florida high school football player tragically passed away after he collapsed on the field mid-game.
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According to NBC News, Chance Gainer, an 18-year-old senior at Port St. Joe High School, died following the collapse on Friday, Sept. 6. He and the team had been playing during an away game at Liberty County High School.
Gulf District Schools Superintendent Jim Norton described Gainer’s death as a “tragic loss” that left the community with “profound sorrow.”
“Chance was quiet, but exuded captivating warmth and genuineness that drew people to him.” Norton shared in a statement. The educator then shared that calling Gainer’s death “perhaps the most heartbreaking situation imaginable for a family and a community.”
Liberty County Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Tim Davis, who was at the game on Friday, further told the Northwest Florida Daily News that the high school football player was playing defensive back. As a play was developing on the opposite side of the field, he “went to the ground suddenly.”
NBC affiliate WJHG reported the high school football player did not have a pulse when EMTs arrived at the game. However, the responding medical personnel were able to finally get a pulse.
“Coaches attended to him and after a few minutes, they called for EMS. After they got to the field, they took him off to an ambulance behind the visitors’ bench,” Davis shared. “One of our school resource officers drove in the ambulance to Blountstown while the medics worked on him.”
Unfortunately, the teen was later pronounced dead at the nearby hospital in Blountstown, Fla.
A GoFundMe Has Been Launched For the Florida High School Football Player’s Family
Following the tragic and sudden loss of Gainer, a GoFundMe was launched for the family of the high school football player.
In the GoFundMe, organizer Evan Clark described the football player as not only being a star athlete, but a well-loved classmate. “You may not hear him, but you could see his smile from across the room. A team, a school, a community and most importantly, a family is truly devastated by the loss of Chance.”
Clark then wrote that the GoFundMe was more than a fundraiser. “It is a community effort to support one of our own in a time of need. Your involvement not only provides financial support but also shows a heartwarming community spirit that we value so much. Please keep the Gainer family and entire Port St. Joe community in your thoughts and prayers.”
Since its launch, the GoFundMe has raised more than $62,000 from nearly 750 donations. It is seeking $75,000.