Head injury kills high school football player after being tacked by teammate

Tragedy struck in Kentucky when a 17-year-old high school football player passed away on Monday morning following a head injury sustained during an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday.

Andrew Dodson, a junior tight end and defensive end for Pulaski County High School, suffered blunt-force trauma to the brain after hitting his head on the turf during a routine tackle.

According to Andrew’s father, Alan Dodson, who spoke with the Lexington Herald-Leader, the tackle was clean and not violent, nor did it involve helmet-to-helmet contact.

The incident occurred during the Pulaski County varsity football spring Maroon and White game when Andrew, who was carrying the ball, fell on his head after being tackled by a teammate. The young athlete was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Following the accident, Andrew was taken to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, where he underwent multiple surgeries before ultimately succumbing to his injuries.

Mark Stoops, the University of Kentucky’s football coach, expressing sympathy toward the teen’s family and football team on Twitter. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) also released a statement on Monday through its social media channels, offering condolences to Andrew’s loved ones.