High school student dies after football conditioning

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Grief counselors were at Creekside High School in South Fulton County Tuesday after the sudden death of a freshman football player.

School officials say Kamari McGowen, a ninth-grade student, was participating in football conditioning when a coach noticed he looked pale and took him off the field.

Later, they called 911 and paramedics took him to the hospital, where he died.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Suspected meth dealers arrested in Walmart parking lot
• $136K sports car riddled with bullets in NW Atlanta
• Star basketball player killed at college acceptance party

Teddy Simon's son plays football at Creekside High School.

He says he picked his son up from conditioning Monday and saw police there, but didn't find out what happened until he received a text from Creekside officials Tuesday morning.

He said he hopes coaches are keeping the players hydrated.

“Just try to make sure they got water, you know, when they need it,” Simon said. “Give it to them. Bottom line, if they say they need it, give it to them. There's a difference in pushing and going overboard I think, you know.”

School officials released the following statement about his death:

Fulton County Schools is saddened by the heartbreaking news of the death of Kamari McGowen. Kamari was a 9th grade student at Creekside High and died unexpectedly after being transported to the hospital from football conditioning Monday evening. The cause of death has not been confirmed. Creekside High had counselors at school on Tuesday and as long as necessary to assist students and teachers who are experiencing grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McGowen family.

The district has launched an investigation into what happened.

They say there are no indications yet as to what caused McGowen's death.

Cox Media Group