2 high school football players died after emergencies at practice. Here’s what we know

Two High School Football Players Die After Medical Emergencies at Practice

Two high school football players died in August after suffering medical emergencies at practice, according to reports from cleveland.com and nj.com.

Odin Hensley, a 17-year-old from Lake Travis High School in Texas, suffered cardiac arrest at practice on Aug. 10 and died Aug. 13. Rylan Reece, a 16-year-old junior at Pawnee Heights High School in Rozel, Kansas, collapsed during practice last Tuesday and died that night. Both reports identified the players and their schools.

Texas: Lake Travis Player's Death and Canceled Season Opener

Hensley was airlifted to Dell Children's Medical Center after the cardiac arrest, where he remained in the intensive care unit until his death on Aug. 13. Lake Travis football coach Hank Carter said on X that Hensley "experienced a serious health emergency" at approximately 8 a.m. Aug. 10.

Following Hensley's death, Lake Travis canceled its season opener scheduled for this coming Friday against Dripping Springs. Last week, Carter wrote a note to football parents and families about the decision, according to Chron.com. In the note, he said, "The past two weeks have been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. After careful consideration and with the physical and mental safety of our players and staff as our top priority, we have made the decision to cancel our football games against Dripping Springs next week."

Kansas: Reece's Collapse and Ongoing Investigation

Reece died at approximately 9 p.m. last Tuesday, as reported by KCUR. According to the same report, his mother volunteers in the school district, and his father is a former Pawnee County undersheriff, according to KCUR.

CPR was being performed on Reece when first responders were called to the school, according to KAKE News. An autopsy was performed last Thursday to determine Reece's cause of death.

Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett said in a statement to the Great Bend Tribune, "I did not know the young man personally, but know his parents. They are very active in the community and my heart breaks for them." In the same statement, he added, "The Rozel and Burdett communities which make up the Pawnee Heights School District are extremely close-knit, and I know this loss will be felt deeply."

McNett also told KWCH that multiple people witnessed the medical emergency and there is no concern of foul play. He said, "Until said autopsy is completed, it is improper to speculate as to the possible cause of said medical emergency."

The cause of Reece's death has not been released, and the investigation continues.