Los Angeles high school football player hurt during game last month dies from brain injury

A Southern California teenager critically hurt last month during a high school football game died this week from his injuries, the boy's loved ones and school officials announced.

Christopher Garcia, a 16-year-old junior at South Gate High School in Los Angeles, died after suffering a brain injury during an Aug. 23 home game, a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday.

“I am saddened to report the recent death of one of our students," the school's principal Eric Jaimes announced Wednesday in a message sent to the school community. "On behalf of our entire school community, I want to offer my deepest condolences ... Every member of the South East High School community matters and this loss impacts us all."

Garcia was hurt during a tackle during a junior varsity game, local KTLV-TV reported, and taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

At the time of the incident there were two medical personnel on site, the district spokesperson told USA TODAY. The district, they confirmed, requires the home team to have an EMT or athletic trainer on site before the game begins.

Jaimes said the district was offering crisis counselors to students.

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'A vibrant and passionate young man'

The teen's family described Garcia as “a vibrant and passionate young man who brought joy and energy to everyone around him," according to an online fundraiser created to help his family with funeral expenses. "As a dedicated high school football player, he was known for his enthusiasm on and off the field. Beyond his athletic talents, Christopher was a loving son, sibling, and a loyal friend.”

"This unexpected loss has left a profound impact on their family," Jennifer Guadamuz, who created the fundraiser on Wednesday, wrote. "We’re coming together to support them during this incredibly challenging time."

As of Friday, more than 300 people had raised nearly $18,000 of a requested $40,000 goal to help the family, and funeral arrangements were pending.

Two other teen football players die from injuries

Garcia's death comes less than two weeks after two other similar tragedies.

At Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, high school quarterback Caden Tellier died Aug. 24, one day after suffering a brain injury during the team's season home opener, according to reporting by the Montgomery Advertiser, a part of the USA TODAY Network. Tellier was a 16-year-old junior.

And on Aug. 20 in West Virginia, Madison Middle School eight-grader Cohen Craddock died one day after being injured in football practice.

Joseph Smith, executive director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority, told local news station WSAZ-TV that the player had sustained a head injury.

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UNC research institute: 11 football players have died since July 1, 2024

Since July 1, 11 middle and high school football players have died across the nation, with nine related to football, Randi DeLong, spokesperson for the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury told USA TODAY on Friday.

The research institute based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, also captures sudden cardiac arrest events outside of sports − for example when they take place during sleep, at rest, or during personal athletic activity, DeLong said.

Last year, the center reported, 16 football players ranging from youth leagues to the collegiate level died for reasons including traumatic injuries on the field to activities not related to football.

Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY; Marty Roney, Montgomery Advertiser

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.