A Windsor High School football player has tragically lost his life after he experienced a medical emergency at practice on Tuesday.
Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera lost consciousness during practice Tuesday afternoon.
“He was not engaged in any football drills, or tackling,” said Windsor superintendent Terrell Hill.
The coaching staff provided first aid while they were waiting for the ambulance. EMTs and Windsor police arrived and began giving CPR, officials said. Rivera was taken to Connecticut Children’s in Hartford where he passed away.
Sadly, the medical professionals were unable to revive him,” district superintendent Terrence Hill said.
He was only 15 years old.
The football team at Windsor High School released a heartfelt statement on this tragedy.
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“Gone from our sight but never from our hearts, we mourn the passing of Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, an amazing son, brother, athlete, student, and friend. #65 Forever in our hearts,” Windsor’s team said. “We will miss you Big Texas, Love you. This season is dedicated to you and Coach Knight.
Rivera was affectionately known to his teammates as “Big Texas” and had moved back to Connecticut in June to better focus on school and football, his mother Chastity Hernandez told Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
She told the outlet that Rivera loved cars and football, and that his favorite NFL team was the Atlanta Falcons. She added that his dream had been to don a Falcons jersey one day and live in Atlanta.
A candlelight vigil was held on the football field Tuesday night and members of the Windsor football team said they were dedicating the remainder of the season in his honor and in the next game, they plan to walk onto the field with his jersey.
