Georgia Teen Collapses During First Football Practice of Season, Dies in ER

By Maggie Gile On 7/27/21 at 4:20 PM EDT

A 15-year-old Georgia boy collapsed on the first day of football practice and died in the ER, the Associated Press reported.

Joshua Ivory, a student at Southwest High School in Macon, went into distress Monday, prompting the coaches to call an ambulance, Bibb County School District officials said.

Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones said Ivory died in the hospital emergency room. No cause of death was announced but an autopsy has been planned.

For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.

15-year-old Dies in ER After Football Practice — Joshua Ivory, a 15-year-old Georgia high school football player, was taken to a hospital where he died in the ER after the first practice of the season. Above, during an afternoon session of preseason football practice with a heat index of 104 degrees, 15-year-old Sammy Collins of Bossier City High School soaks his head in a bucket of ice water August 19, 2003, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images

Monday was the first day of practice for teams statewide. Rules call for a five-day period for players to get used to heat and physical exertion while practicing in shorts and helmets. August 2 is the first day that players are allowed to practice in pads.

According to the National Weather Service, Macon reached a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) on Monday before 4 p.m. The practice started at 6 p.m., according to The Telegraph of Macon.

Bibb County Schools Athletic Director Barney Hester told The Telegraph that Southwest High head coach Joe Dupree saw what was happening and followed state rules.

"We called 911, the firetruck was here in five to six minutes," Hester told the newspaper. "It was handled in a timely manner....Joe Dupree and his staff did a really remarkable job when we realized we had a student in distress."

"The loss of one of our students in Bibb County is huge," Hester said. "We are all grieving. We have a young man that unfortunately is not going to be with us anymore and we have to deal with that."

The district canceled practices Tuesday and are reviewing how practices are conducted.

"Joshua was a wonderful young man full of promise and zeal. He had an infectious smile and a very kind heart. He enjoyed sports and spending time with his family," Southwest Principal A. Bernard Young said in a statement Tuesday.

"Joshua's personality made it easy for him to make a great impression and huge impact on his teammates, coaches, and the entire Southwest family."

Young said district counselors would be available to students and employees. Hester said the district will honor Ivory.

The Georgia High School Association said it is gathering information.

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