Texas High School QB Dies After Tossing Touchdown Pass
Medics were not able to resuscitate him.
ORANGE, Texas --
Tragedy struck West Orange Stark High School during a football game Friday night against Jasper Bulldogs.
Immediately after 18 year-old Reggie Garrett, the team's star quarterback, threw his second touchdown pass, he walked to the sidelines and collapsed.
"I just kicked my field goal," said Bryce Crew, the kicker for West Orange. "I walked up and everybody was making me get back, and I saw him twitching. I just cried, I couldn't stop crying."
Garrett was rushed to a nearby hospital. Paramedics struggled to get a pulse on the young athlete, and he was not breathing.
The game resumed to a 27-6 victory, but the win was bittersweet.
"Hundreds of people came to the hospital. They were in the parking lot, all gathered around, singing hymns, and praying," said Baptist Hospital Supervisor Susan Courtney. "The lobby was full of drill team members, parents, coaches."
Garrett was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m. Friday.
"I love him with all my heart," said his father, Reggie Garrett Senior. "All he wanted to do was play football. He loved it, and worked hard at it. I already miss him."
University of Houston was among the many schools recruiting Garrett. People who knew him say he was a talent on and off the field and a straight A student who scored high on his SATs.
The official cause of death is still unknown. A full autopsy could take up to two weeks.
Copyright 2010 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
