Southern California high school football player dies from injuries suffered in game

A 16-year-old Los Angeles County boy has died nearly two weeks after suffering a major injury in a high school football game, according to reports.

The boy, identified in an online fundraiser as Christopher Garcia, was a junior at South East High School in South Gate. The news was first reported by Los Angeles Times high school sports columnist Eric Sondheimer .

Garcia was injured while playing in a junior varsity game on Aug. 23, and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

The online fundraiser, written by a person claiming to be the friend of Garcia’s sister, said that he suffered a brain injury in the game.

“Christopher was a vibrant and passionate young man who brought joy and energy to everyone around him,” the post reads. “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. His loss leaves a profound void in the lives of all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.”

The money raised by the GoFundMe will go toward funeral expenses and Garcia’s family. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, it raised $10,000 of its $40,000 goal.

According to Sonheimer, two medical staff members were on site at the time of Garcia’s injury, which is required by the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Garcia’s death is the 11th resulting from middle and high school football injuries this year, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury.

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