Damien football player collapses at Monday morning practice

A 16-year-old football player collapsed at Damien High School and was taken to a local hospital early Monday morning, fire officials said.

Firefighters went to the school at 2280 Damien Avenue at 6:10 a.m. on a call about someone who had a seizure, according to La Verne Fire Capt. Dave Benson.

However, he said the teen didn’t have a seizure but collapsed during football practice.
He didn’t know what occurred before the teen collapsed.

STATEMENT FROM DAMIEN: 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.
School coaching staff was on the scene at the school and accompanied the student to the hospital. They have been with him and his family throughout the day.
We ask that the media please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. We offer our prayers for our student and his family so that he may have a full recovery.