Teen Collapses Minutes Into Football Practice, Dies

A 16-year-old Omaha, Neb., football player died after collapsing on the field Tuesday during practice, according to a KMTV-TV report.

Drake Geiger’s father dropped him off at Omaha South High School for football practice and received a call about 10 minutes later that the teen had collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

Doctors told Geiger’s dad, Scott Hoffman, that Drake was suffering from overheating and that the boy’s internal temperature was around 122 degrees Fahrenheit, KETV-TV reported. The peak heat index was 106 with a high temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, according to the news station. 

Doctors told the family that Geiger’s body was “so overheated and his organs were working extra hard, and he was very, very sick. They told me it wasn't a good situation,” Hoffman said.

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Geiger had missed out on playing football a season ago, and he was excited to start his junior year of high school and to play football again. He had missed the team’s first practice Monday because of paperwork, so his practice Tuesday was his first practice of the season.

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"He was just a really good kid,” Hoffman told KMTV-TV. “I'm going to miss him, and just sad to see him go." Geiger was set to get his driver's license Wednesday.

Scott said he has received support from Geiger’s teammates, the Omaha South football coaching staff and the school’s principal.

The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money to cover the funeral services.

TRAGIC NEWS: this is 16-year-old Drake Geiger. His sister tells me he collapsed during football practice at Omaha South Tuesday. Drake tragically died yesterday. Thinking of his family and his friends. pic.twitter.com/73Bj7GagBZ

Jennifer Griswold (griswoldkmtv) August 11, 2021