Photo: Brittany Hoffman
(Omaha, NE) -- An Omaha South High School football player dies after collapsing during practice.
The family of Drake Geiger says the 16 year old collapsed just after the start of practice Tuesday afternoon. The heat index in the Omaha metro Tuesday afternoon topped 100 degrees. Gieger's sister Brittany Hoffman says he was taken to Nebraska Medicine, "with CPR being performed." Hoffman says doctors and nurses worked to revive Geiger but that, "with great sadness they were not able to save him."
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses.
In a letter to students and their families, the school's principal says counselors will be on hand for student's:
Dear South High Community,
We are deeply saddened to share that 11th-grade student Drake Geiger died unexpectedly last evening. We have been in contact with Drake’s family and conveyed our heartfelt sympathy and support.
Many in our community will be affected by this news. South High is a tight-knit community, and we are here for one another. Students may want to talk with you about their feelings. You may see behavior changes in students: loss of concentration, physical complaints or regression. These are common reactions associated with the grieving process. Talking about those feelings and listening attentively will help students and staff cope with such a tragic event. We have attached an additional resource to help. We will have counselors available at South High from 1 to 4 p.m. to talk with students who need to. If you have any concerns about your student’s reaction to this loss, please contact school counselors or our administrative staff. Please keep the family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jodi Pesek, Principal