Ryan Craddock's 13-year-old son, Cohen, was an eighth grader at Madison Middle School in Boone County, West Virginia.
"He loved to make other people happy; he liked to joke."
He also loved playing football, and that's what Craddock says his son was doing last Friday when he 1took a hard hit during practice. That 2led to a brain bleed and 3swelling. Cohen died Saturday, making him the third student football player to die nationwide this month alone.
"He was the one that always had a smile on his face."
That same Friday, in Selma, Alabama, 16-year-old quarterback Caden Tellier suffered a 4fatal brain injury during his season opener.
"His spirit and who he was is gonna 5live on, and it's gonna impact a lot of people."
And earlier this month, 14-year-old Semaj Wilkins died after experiencing a medical emergency during football practice 6drills in Coffee County, Alabama, according to the county 7coroner.
These 8tragic 9losses are just the latest in the U.S.
The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research says 16 players died in 2023, ranging from youth league to college age. Thirteen of those confirmed to be related to football activities, causes like 10traumatic brain injuries, 11heat stroke, and sudden heart or lung failures.
Cohen Craddock's father is 12channeling his 13grief 14into action, saying he will campaign to have players provided with guardian caps, to offer extra head protection during tackles.
