Alabama Prep Player Dies After Returning a Kickoff
A 17-year-old high school football player died after he was tackled while returning a kickoff.
Brandon Scott Hutcherson of Geneva County High School did not get up after he was tackled in the season opener Thursday night against Geneva High School.
The 6-foot-3, 167-pound junior was taken to Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan. Coroner Robert Byrd said Hutcherson died at about 12:40 a.m. EDT Friday. An autopsy was planned.
School Superintendent William Burns said Hutcherson had no known health problems.
Dan Washburn, executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Assn., said he had spoken with the principal at Hutcherson’s school and believed the death was “injury-related,” but he had no details.
“He was a very promising young man, active in school, church and community--a very fun person to be around,” said Rufus Lee, a school administrator. “Scott would want the team to pull together and go on.”
Burns said grief counselors were at school Friday to assist students and faculty.
The last game-related player death in the state occurred Sept. 22, 2000, AHSAA spokesman Alan Mitchell said.
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