Middle School Football Player Dies From Ant Attack

Michael Gaio Headshot

Unfortunately, for the second day in a row, we are writing about the death of a youth football player. However, this one wasn't caused by a helmet-to-helmet hit or any other football-related injury.

Thirteen-year-old Cameron Espinosa died Sunday, four days after suffering a severe allergic reaction to ant bites during a football game. According to NBC News, Espinosa was in a huddle with his teammates at Paul R. Haas Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas, last Wednesday when he started yelling, "Ants! Ants! Ants!"

Shortly after, Espinosa collapsed and was taken to the hospital.

Espinosa's mother, Josephine Limon, told a local TV station that having more trained personnel on hand, or even something as simple as an EpiPen, could have saved her son's life.

Limon has hired a lawyer to look into her son's death.

Corpus Christi Independent School District board member Hector Salinas says he's personally seen more than 20 ant piles on the field where Espinosa was attacked.

"Parents, they rely on us and the school to take care of the kids and make sure they're safe," Salinas said. "And somehow, you know what? We didn't do our job."

Fire ants have caused problems at sporting events in the past. If your fields are dealing with an ant problem, this article outlines five ways to get rid of them.

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