High school football player in ICU for heat-related illness following practice

ARLINGTON, Tenn. (WMC) - A 16-year-old is being treated for a heat-related illness at the hospital following football practice.

The mother of Joshua Henderson says he passed out on the football field at Bolton High School on Monday, and since then, their lives have changed.

The boy was rushed to the ICU at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he’s still being treated for the heat-related illness

Now, Angel Henderson wants answers as her son has sat in the ICU for days.

According to Angel, he is on a breathing machine and is now a different 16-year-old than she knew just four days ago.

“Pain, anger, hurt, said Angel as she described the feelings she’s going through while sitting with Joshua at the hospital.

Angel says she was sitting at home when she received a call from the football coach at Bolton High School saying her son had passed out at practice.

“By the time I get there, my son is in the back of an ambulance, barely fitting on the gurney, lethargic, eyes closed, and barely able to breathe,” she said.

The cause of the incident was a heat-related illness, according to doctors at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

Rudy Kink, pediatric emergency physician at the hospital, says all heat-related injuries are serious.

“It’s when you’re really dehydrated, your body’s still sweating a little bit, you’re able to communicate, talk - maybe a little lethargic or tired, your temperature is usually under 103 degrees Fahrenheit,” he said.

Henderson says she wants answers on how this happened at practice. She said she hasn’t heard much from the Memphis-Shelby County School District.

“None of the coaches have come to see him [Joshua]. They won’t give us answers. My husband went to the school to pick up his effects from the practice and his phone. They didn’t even talk to him,” she said. “They didn’t even say we are praying, they didn’t even say sorry. They just handed him his stuff, like he was nothing.”

MSCS released a statement regarding the incident:

“First and foremost, we want to extend our most sincere thoughts and prayers to this young man, his family, friends, and the entire Bolton High School football team and community. This is a difficult time, and our hearts are with all those affected as we continue to remain hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.

While we are not legally able to disclose specific details regarding the extent of the student’s condition, we remain in close and continuous contact with the family to ensure the student, his family, teammates and friends receive the best possible support that we can offer.

We are also taking all reasonable and necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes and staff during summer practices."

Kink said having early morning practices or night practices will help prevent heat-related injuries. He added that taking several breaks and drinking water will help student athletes practicing in the heat.

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