((HT: WKRN-TV))
The Ft. Campbell community is mourning the loss of a high school football player who passed away Wednesday after he was hospitalized following practice on Tuesday.
Tim Williams, a 16-year-old going into his junior year at Ft. Campbell High School ((pictured, thanks WKRN-TV)), was said to be feeling disoriented after practice and was taken to the hospital.
He died Wednesday evening at Vanderbilt children's hospital in Nashville.
Shawn Berner, head football coach at the school, said Thursday Williams was fine until the end of practice.
"We finished sprints and huddled as a team and he seemed lethargic looking," he recalled.
Berner said Williams got immediate medical attention and was quickly taken to the hospital.
While temperatures were in the 70s Tuesday, weather has not been ruled out as a possible cause of death.
"We have a great system of hydration. We break every 20 minutes and sometimes every 15 minutes, it's built into the schedule," said Berner. "We have a medical trainer that's on site with us every single practice."
Williams was an offensive lineman, competing for a starting spot going on the team.
Berner said his death is baffling.
"He was a kid that was here everyday, worked out in the off season. He did what he was asked to do," he said.
This season was going to be special for Williams.
His dad had recently returned from Iraq and was looking forward to watching his son and the rest of the Ft. Campbell team compete for a third straight state championship.
"I think of all 85 kids as my own and it's been a loss," said Berner.
"Our hearts go out to his parents and family and friends as we share their grief and pain," said Assistant Superintendent Jo Blease.
The cause of Williams' death remains under investigation.
Autopsy results have not yet been released.
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