A high school football player in Mississippi died after suffering a neck fracture during a game on Nov. 3.
Jeremiah Williams, a Greenville High School cornerback, fractured two vertebrae in his neck while trying to make a tackle. He was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center and placed on a ventilator.
Williams died on Nov. 9.
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform all the contributors of Jeremiah’s passing! Please continue to keep his family and the Greenville community in your prayers for the days to come!” wrote John Rea, a parent of a Madison Central player who is helping raise money through GoFundMe.
“God bless each of you for your prayers and contribution.”
In eight days, the fundraiser, started for Williams’s family to help with hospital bills, has raised over four times the original goal, garnering $44,870 as of Nov. 12.
“Medical expenses will be costly, Mississippi has always been a caring state and we are trying to help the family by covering some of the medical cost,” wrote the supporters, who said the account was set up for use by Lashona Williams, Jeremiah’s mother.
Please keep Greenville HS football player Jeremiah Williams in your prayers today.
It is my prayer the Good Lord will put his healing hands on this young man, his family, and community. The entire state of MS is rallying behind you, Jeremiah. https://t.co/QaXXFWsURf
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) November 4, 2018
Deborah and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Jeremiah. Please keep his family, friends, teammates, and community in your prayers during this difficult time. He now walks the streets of glory. https://t.co/fSnctWygot
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) November 9, 2018
Support From Governor
The incident attracted statewide attention as Gov. Phil Bryant said he was praying for Williams.
“It is my prayer the Good Lord will put his healing hands on this young man, his family, and community,” Bryant said via Twitter on Nov. 5.
“The entire state of MS is rallying behind you, Jeremiah.”
After Williams’s death was announced, Bryant said he was saddened by the news.
“Deborah and I are saddened to hear of the passing of Jeremiah. Please keep his family, friends, teammates, and community in your prayers during this difficult time. He now walks the streets of glory,” he said.
Moment of Silence
Prior to Greenville’s basketball game on Nov. 10, Williams’s mother was led out to the center of the court.
Everyone then held a moment of silence for her son, reported WLBT.
Players and coaches from both teams embraced her, and several other members of his family attended the game.
Basketball coach Delmar Sprouse said his team plans to dedicate the rest of their season to Jeremiah.