Early Thursday evening a member of the North West High School football team in Germantown, Maryland collapsed.
Sixteen-year-old Edwin Miller, who went by “Dek,” was taking part in conditioning drills at the school when his medical emergency began.
“He came around 5:30, quarter to six, was there for about 30 minutes or so and collapsed. The coaches saw that he was not breathing so they called 9-1-1 right away,” said principal Jacqueline Orrence.
North West’s Principal says coaches even performed CPR on the teen before he was rushed to a local hospital.
Miller took a turn for the worse Friday and passed away Tuesday. School officials say they don’t know what caused Miller’s death.
The teen wasn’t even wearing his football gear.
“It’s just devastating to the school and the football team and the coaches are taking it really hard,” said Orrence.
Doctor James Gardner is an orthopedic surgeon who works with many athletes including Montgomery County high school students.
He says heat stroke and heart conditions are most often to blame for young athlete deaths.
When it comes to trying to find out if a teen could have undetected health problems.
Gardner says parents should do some family research.
“The best way is with a history. Is there any family history is one of the number one things, has anybody under the age of fifty died, or other medical problems that could set you off that there’s something,” Gardner said.
About 100 people gathered at the school yesterday after news of Miller’s death.
Counselors were made available for students and staff.
“Everyone is just very saddened by this and trying to come together to support each other during this really sad time,” Orrence said.
Football team members are working with parents to organize a vigil at the school for Miller so students can come together and mourn this loss.