A California high school student who was injured during a junior varsity game football game has died according to a letter to the community from the school's principal.
According to NBC News, the student from South East High School in Los Angeles was injured during a game against Maywood Center Enriched Studies on Aug. 23.
South East High School Principal Eric Jaimes said in the message Wednesday, “I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students.”
“On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences. At this time, we request that the privacy of those who have been impacted be respected during this difficult time. Please know that our entire school community offers our support,” Jaimes wrote in the message, provided by a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The student was injured after tackling another player near the sidelines. The student was not identified by the school district or in Jaimes' letter.
A school district spokesperson said it is district policy that at least one medical professional be present at all football games. Two medical staff members were at the game where the student was injured, and both attended to the student, the spokesperson said.
The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury said 16 youth league, middle school, high school and collegiate football players died last year.
Thirteen of the deaths were directly or indirectly related to football, it said in an annual report.
