Tuesday, October 20, 2009

GRIEF COUNSELORS AT HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AFTER FOOTBALL PLAYERS DEATH

LA Daily News Wire Services

10/19/2009 -- Grief counselors will be at Hollywood High School on Monday to comfort students distraught over the death of a ninth-grade football player who collapsed during a game and died, a school district official said.

Spencer Juarez, 13, had just carried the ball and was jogging to the sideline when he collapsed with about two minutes left in the freshman- sophomore game against West Adams Prep Friday night. Paramedics took the player to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Juarez was pronounced dead about 3 p.m. Saturday. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is pending.

Grief counselors will be at the school on Monday and will remain there "as long as staff and students need them," Los Angeles Unified School District communications officer Ellen Morgan told City News Service.

Friends and a coach described Juarez as a dedicated athlete who ran marathons and did well in school.

"It's the kind of kid that you want to teach, who makes you want to follow him throughout his life because you know he's going to do amazing things," coach and marathon trainer Bonnie Anderson told KCAL9.

On Sept. 11, Garden Grove High School football player Kevin Telles, 17, collapsed and died during a game. Coroner's investigators have yet to disclose the cause of death, pending more post-mortem studies.

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