12 Year old dies at football practice - FOR PARENTS:

[Coexist]

Below is the some of the article. I am posting this in GD because I know a lot of you are parents. The weather has been very hot this summer all over the country and football practice is beginning for most associations.

If your child plays sports (especially football - lots of equipment and a helmet) PLEASE HYDRATE THEM BEFORE PRACTICE. They need Gatorade BEFORE sports and water DURING practice.

I run a youth football association in the Tampa area - we are not affiliated with the one below - but it could happen anywhere. Children should drink a LOT before they get to practice. Make them drink on the WAY to practice. Instruct them to DRINK during water breaks, not goof with their friends.

PLEASE - this happens places other than Florida.

Thank you.

http://www.wfts.com/stories/2006/07/060719player.shtml
Father talks about son's death at football practice
an ABC Action News Video report 07/19/06


TAMPA - The father of a 12-year-old who died during football practice says he wants some answers in how his son died.

<snip>
He says, He gave me a hug, I gave him a hug, he gave me a kiss and I kissed him. He told me that he loved me and I told him that I loved him and that's how we parted ways."

A day later, Bobby Stevens Jr. collapsed at football practice and died on the way to the hospital.

It was the end of a two-hour practice in very hot weather, and the team was running one last lap.

<snip>
Players told us the coaches gave them frequent water breaks Monday.