A high school football player in Florida tragically died after collapsing during a game in Port St Joe on Friday night. Chance Gainer, 18, was rushed to hospital after the incident but was later pronounced dead.

Coaches immediately rushed to assist the wide receiver on the field, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The game, held at Liberty High School, was halted, and next week’s match has been postponed, according to WMBB.

Gulf County Superintendent Jim Norton paid tribute to Gainer, describing him as “one of the best young men ever to walk the halls at Port St. Joe High School.” Norton added, “He had world-class speed, but more importantly, had a world-class personality.”

Norton also revealed that Gainer, an honours student, had no pulse when paramedics first attended to him. However, they managed to detect a pulse before he was transported to the hospital.

Gainer’s death marks the 12th football player to have died this year, according to concussion awareness campaigners. Reports highlight that Gainer, who had a GPA above 4.0, had recently visited Vanderbilt University to explore future academic opportunities.

Authorities are now arranging grief counsellors to support players, students, and staff in the wake of this tragedy, WDBJ7 reports.