BY MAGGIE JARRARD, Sophomore
BLYTHEWOOD-- Lewis Simpkins, River Bluff High School football player, collapsed at a preseason practice on August 10th. He passed away from complications from a pre-existing heart condition.
Simpkins was an achieving defensive tackle for the Gators and was coming into his sophomore season. The 6’2, 270 lbs. defensive lineman was ranked 50th in the state.
“Football players that may have a condition that hinders them from playing, should at least be on the team,” Tucker Shelton sophomore, Blythewood JV football player said.
Simpkins died from complications from an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a pre-existing heart condition. He had an enlarged heart and thickening of the left ventricle.
"He didn't think the River Bluff coaches knew about Simpkins having this condition because it was never in the physical," Shelton said.
The coaches at River Bluff said Simpkins was a joy to coach and a bright, talented young man. His smile and his devotion to the team will be missed.
“The coaches could not of know that Simpkins had the heart condition, his parents and him had never told the coaches, or put it in the physical,” freshman Peter Van said.
The players took 15 to 20 minute water breaks. Water hoses and coolers were available. The team had practice for 2 hours and 15 minutes, according to the River Bluff Football Coach, David Bennett.
There are some extreme sports that can cause death, but news of the River Bluff player dying came as a shock to everyone. The training the athletes go through improve their fitness and gameplay as well.
The news of this football player dying was something no one thought would happen. This occurrence raised tons of questions regarding how the coaches are training the students.
Shelton, agrees, the coaches do practice the players hard, but it's part of being on the team.
“You want to be better than the player next to you, so you practice harder,” Shelton said.
“The coaches of the football team should be more cautious and on edge about everything involving a teammate's health or well-being,” sophomore Lillian Cooke said.
“Health should be the coach's number one concern regarding their players,” Van said.
“If a player has a condition that could possibly cause minor/major issues, then the coaches should most definitely take that into consideration and keep that player from possibly causing problems medically,” Cooke said.
The River Bluff football coaches and the community will certainly never forget the bright, warm smile of Lewis Simpkins. He was a defense tackler who held the whole team together. The 14 year old was loved and accepted by his classmates, teachers, and coaches. He will always be a Gator to River Bluff.
