MANSFIELD, Texas -- A 15-year-old junior varsity football player at Mansfield's Summit High School died after collapsing during a game. Mansfield school district officials said the Summit sophomore Dozie Njeako died at a Mansfield hospital at about 9:45 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses said the boy collapsed while jogging to the Summit sideline after a play early in the third quarter against South Grand Prairie.
Athletic trainers from Summit and South Grand Prairie administered CPR in an effort to revive Dozie. Paramedics continued CPR as they transported him to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center at about 9 p.m., where he died.
No cause of death has been released.
Summit principal Donna Grant said Njeako was well-liked by students and teachers and that his unexpected death has hit the campus hard.
"Everyone spoke so glowingly of him," Grant said Friday. "There are a lot of tears today, very upset students and teachers."
"I'm going to tell you that losing a child period is difficult," Grant said.
Summit and South Grand Prairie officials rescheduled Friday night's varsity game to Saturday at 1 p.m.
Donations to the Dozie Njeako Memorial Fund can be made in his name at Frost Bank in Arlington 1000 Walnut St. Arlington, TX
Poster Comment:
A girl at work's daughter who is a cheerleader knew this young man and her mom explained to me what happened.