A West Virginia middle school football player died Saturday after suffering a head injury during practice, his father said.
Cohen Craddock, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Madison Middle School, suffered brain bleeding and swelling in the tackle and died at the hospital. WSAZ.
The boy's father, Ryan Craddock, told reporters that after the crash, his son was able to get up and take a few steps before losing consciousness. Reported. (Related article: 15-year-old boy dies after collapsing during football practice in Virginia)
Cohen Craddock, an eighth-grader from Boone County, West Virginia, died after suffering a blow to the head during practice on Friday.
It's the second time a player has died from a traumatic brain injury in football this weekend, a sad start to the football season. https://t.co/eydxpDpkdS— Dr. Chris Nowinski (@ChrisNowinski1) August 26, 2024
“I just can't believe it,” Craddock told WSAZ. “I wish it was just a bad dream that I could wake up from. I'm in pain inside. I can't put it into words. It's awful.”
According to the Associated Press, Principal Shan Elkins described Cohen as “a wonderful, respectful and intelligent young man who was an important member of our school family.” Boone County Superintendent Matthew Riggs released a statement saying counseling and support services would be available at the school for students, teachers and staff.
According to WSAZ, Craddock said this was her son's second year playing soccer, but that he enjoyed being part of a team as much as the game itself.
“He loved social gatherings and just making friends,” Craddock told WSAZ.
Craddock told WSAZ he doesn't want to see other parents go through what he did, so he plans to help other players get the Guardian Cap, equipment that provides extra protection for players' heads.
“I want to use the loss of my son as motivation to protect others,” he said. “I don't want anyone else to go through what we're going through right now.”
