Following a hit while in the backfield, Evan Murray - quarterback at Warren Hills Regional High School in New Jersey - sustained critical injuries that cost him his life. The senior has been described as "an amazing student and athlete," by classmate Taylor Coughlin, according to CNN.
Murray, who was 17-years-old and 180-pounds, collapsed on the field around the halftime mark. While being hoisted up and put on a stretcher, he gave the crowd a thumbs up to reassure everyone he would be OK. "He tried giving a thumbs-up to the rest of the team, and all of us cheered," Kaitlyn Bell said, according to NY Daily News. Murray's teammates learned of his condition following the game.
"He walked off the field and we all thought it was just a hit," said Tim Woolf, Murray's friend, according to the Washington post. Bailey Reyes, Murray's girlfriend expressed her grief via Instagram. "September 25, 2015 will forever be the worst day of my life. I lost the love of my life because of a football accident. I cannot thank you enough Evan for loving me like you did and filling each and every day with laughter and smiles."
