The small city of Port St. Joe, Florida, is mourning the loss of a beloved high school football player, Chance Gainer, who tragically died after collapsing during an away game on Friday night. Gainer, a senior and cornerback for Port St. Joe High School, collapsed on the field just before halftime while playing against Liberty County High School. According to Gulf District Schools Superintendent Jim Norton, Gainer was declared dead at a local hospital shortly after the incident. He had celebrated his 18th birthday less than a month prior.
Superintendent Norton expressed his sorrow, stating, “He is an exceptional young man that you can make a hero out of. I would call Chance a friend.” Gainer’s unexpected death has rocked the tight-knit community of Port St. Joe, which has a population of around 500 students at the high school. Norton said that school staff, friends, and community members came together to support Gainer’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
Gainer had just scored two touchdowns during the game, leading his team to victory, when he collapsed after a water break. While the cause of his death has not yet been determined, a rise in injuries among young athletes has been noted. According to recent data from the National Federation of State High School Associations, Gainer’s death marks the seventh known fatality of high school athletes within the past month, four of which were attributed to heart issues and two from impacts.
This year has already seen the tragic deaths of three other student football players across the U.S. One of those, a teenager in Alabama, suffered a medical emergency during practice. The overall trend in youth football injuries had shown a decline from 2013 to 2019, but a rise was observed in 2021 following a plateau during the pandemic.
Gainer had aspirations of playing football at Vanderbilt University and was described by his principal, Sissy Godwin, as “warm and quiet.” She noted that although he may not have always been the loudest in the room, “you could see his smile from across the room.” Gainer leaves behind grieving parents, siblings, and a high school sweetheart who is a cheerleader for the football team.
The community is coming together to honor Gainer’s memory and provide support for his family during this tragic time.
