The cause of death of an Alabama high school football player who collapsed and died during practice in August has been determined, according to the Coffee County Medical Examiner's Office.
Semaj Wilkins, 14, a freshman at New Brockton High School, suffered an emergency during football practice on August 13th. He collapsed and was taken to an area hospital in an “unresponsive” condition, according to the coroner's report.
Mr. Semaj tragically passed away, and an autopsy performed Thursday by the Alabama Department of Forensic Medicine determined the cause of death to be congestive heart failure due to an enlarged heart with biventricular hypertrophy due to coronary artery abnormalities.
Death was classified as natural.
The Mayo Clinic website defines cardiomegaly as enlargement of the heart and ventricular hypertrophy as thickening of the heart wall. This condition can prevent the heart from pumping blood efficiently.
“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his colleagues, teammates, coaches and faculty. His passing will be felt deeply by all who knew him,” said Coffee County Schools Superintendent. Kelly Cobb wrote a statement on Facebook upon his passing.
Semaj was one of seven soccer-related deaths in August, prompting parents and officials to warn the sport to take safety measures more seriously.
Their causes of death ranged from heatstroke to chest pain to head trauma.
