Florida High School Football Player Dies After Collapsing on Field: 'Most Heartbreaking Situation Imaginable'

Mar. 15, 2025

Chance Gainer.Photo:Gofundme

Gofundme

A Florida high school football player is being remembered as “a remarkable athlete, a beloved teammate and an overall exceptional young man” after he died after collapsing on a field during a game.

According to aGoFundMecampaign launched this weekend, Port St. Joe High School senior Chance Gainer, 18, died on Friday, Sept. 6.NBC News, citing Gulf District Schools Superintendent Jim Norton, reported that Gainer died during an away game at Liberty County High School. Norton described the teen athlete’s death as a “tragic loss” that has left the community with “profound sorrow.”

NBC affiliateWJHGreported that the teen did not have a pulse when EMTs arrived to the game, before medical personnel eventually found one. Gainer was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Blountstown, Fla.

A stock image of a football on a field.getty

getty

Liberty County Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Tim Davis, who was at the game on Friday, told theNorthwest Florida Daily Newsthat Gainer was playing defensive back when a play developed on the opposite side of the field, before he “went to the ground suddenly.”

“Coaches attended to him and after a few minutes, they called for EMS. After they got to the field, they took him off to an ambulance behind the visitors bench,” Davis said. “One of our school resource officers drove in the ambulance to Blountstown while the medics worked on him.”

PerESPN, Gainer scored on a 70-yard touchdown earlier in the game before he collapsed. Administrators learned of his death with four minutes left in the game, Davis said, per theNorthwest FloridaDaily News, and decided to let the game finish before informing Gainer’s teammates. Davis called the scene “heartbreaking.”

TheFlorida High School Athletic Associationlater shared a message with the local community on Facebook, writing that they extend their “heartfelt sympathy to the family of Chance Gainer, the Port St. Joe community, and everyone affected during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts, and we wish you strength and resilience.”

Gainer, who had better than a 4.0 grade point average, recently paid a visit to Vanderbilt University, the superintendent told WJHG.

For the upcoming week at Port St. Joe High School, the district has announced a day off on Monday, with grief counselors and teachers set to be onsite for students throughout the week; a day off for students on Tuesday with an open luncheon for the football team and those of neighboring schools; the postponement of a Friday football game; and atentative celebration of lifefor Gainer next weekend.

The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $54,000 of a $60,000 goal, as of Sunday, Sept. 8.

source: people.com