Teen football player in serious condition after collapsing on La Verne field

A 16-year-old football player at Damien High School in La Verne collapsed on the field Monday morning and was rushed to a local hospital, La Verne fire officials said.

The boy was found unconscious and not breathing on the field after morning practice drills about 6:10 a.m., said Fire Department Capt. Dave Benson.

“Early this morning a junior football player collapsed during summer conditioning. He was treated at the scene and was immediately transported to the hospital. He is currently in the cardiac unit,” the school’s athletic director, Jeff Grant, said in a statement. “We offer our prayers for our student and his family so that he may have a full recovery.”

Coaches were giving the boy CPR when paramedics arrived, Benson said. Paramedics restored the boy’s pulse and blood pressure by the time they arrived at the hospital, and he was breathing on his own, Benson said.

The player was last listed in serious condition. Players were practicing in T-shirts and shorts at the time.

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