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New York teen tragedy results in third prep football player death this week

Yahoo Sports Staff

In what has become an annual tragedy on high school campuses across the country, a New York teenager became the third prep football player to die from an apparent head or brain injury this week.

Shoreham (N.Y.)-Wading River High junior offensive lineman and linebacker Tom Cutinella, 16, died Wednesday from a head injury suffered in the third quarter of a game against Elwood (N.Y.) John Glenn High earlier in the afternoon, according to Newsday. The Wildcats (3-0) also played on Saturday.

The two teams reportedly stopped the game with Shoreham leading 17-12 when Cutinella was rushed to hearby Huntington (N.Y.) Hospital in an ambulance. "It was a big hit," Shoreham coach Matt Millheiser told Newsday at the time of the injury. When word from doctors ultimately reached the estimated 60 community members in the waiting room that Cutinella died, a shaken Millheiser added, "He was a great kid."

Cutinella announced plans to run for junior class president on Twitter just last month.

Shoreham-Wading River Schools superintendent Dr. Steven Cohen issued this statement to CBS.

"Our school community is truly devastated by this awful news and we all extend our deepest condolences to Tom's family and friends during this difficult time.

"Tom played football for the district since he entered the high school in ninth grade, becoming a member of the varsity team this year. In addition, Tom played lacrosse and was a member of the Natural Helpers program, which focuses on peers helping peers. He excelled academically, had a great sense of humor and was just a great individual overall. He was well-liked among students and staff and he will truly be missed.

"Each student is a valued member of our educational community and a young person's death is always tragic. A sudden loss like this can have a profound effect on the entire school community. Grief counselors will be made available to students and staff for as long as needed as we mourn and cope with the loss of such an amazing life."

Rolesville (N.C.) High junior offensive lineman and linebacker Isaiah Langston died Monday after collapsing from what his brother described to WTVD-TV as a blood clot in his brain during warmups prior to the Rams' 20-12 loss to Southeast Raleigh on Friday night. A day earlier, Troy (Ala.) Charles Henderson High senior cornerback Demario Harris Jr. died from what his father described on Facebook as a brain hemmorhage suffered while making a tackle in the first half of Friday's 38-21 win over Mobile Davidson.

“My family and me are dealing with a rough situation and we really appreciate everyone’s well wishes and prayers. And contrary to various media reports, my son had a brain hemorrhage, not an aneurysm, that was caused by a hit he took during Friday’s game. He may have had a pre-existing condition, but there is no way to tell now."

There have been 47 "fatalities directly due to football" participation at the high school level since the turn of the century, and last year's total of eight was the highest since 2001, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.