Middle schooler dies after hard hit at football practice

BOONE COUNTY, W.V. (WOWK) -- The father of West Virginia 13-year-old Cohen Craddock, who died after being injured during football practice, said his son took a hard hit before collapsing.

Ryan Craddock said his son was in his second year playing football for Madison Middle School. On Friday evening, Cohen was practicing as a defensive lineman when he went for a tackle and took a bad hit to his head, according to his father.

He said Cohen got back up, took a couple of steps, and went unconscious. He wouldn't gain consciousness again. In the ambulance, it was found he had low oxygen levels and his brain was swelling, his father said.

Cohen died at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"He was Mr. Personality," Ryan Craddock said. "He liked to joke, he liked to make you smile. Even if he was feeling bad, he wanted to make you feel good. He was that type of person. Just a big heart, big teddy bear."

Ryan Craddock said Cohen was wearing a helmet during practice. He believes if his son had been wearing a Guardian Cap, things may have ended differently. A Guardian Cap is a soft outer layer you can attach to the outside of a football helmet to help absorb impact. The product's manufacturer says it can help prevent injury.

There has been an outpouring of support from the community since Cohen's death. Boone County Schools Superintendent Matt Riggs said in part, "As our thoughts and prayers go out to Cohen’s family, we would ask that same from the community in that his family may find healing, comfort, protection, and strength.”

The superintendent said additional support and services are available for students, staff and athletes.