A freshman football player at Veterans High in Houston County has died after collapsing at football practice last week.
Veterans coach Milan Turner described D.J. McDowell, a member of the Warhawks’ ninth-grade team, as a player who loved his team and who you’d want a son or any athlete to be.
“D.J. was a beautiful and special young man,” Turner said. “He had a tremendous work ethic in school, weight room and practice. He was always happy. Always had a smile. Extremely well-mannered and mature. ... He will be missed and never forgotten.”
LaKisha Brooks, a family friend and organizer of a GoFundMe campaign called DJ Strong, posted the news of McDowell’s passing Wednesday. “Our hearts are heavy after learning that DJ’s physical fight ended yesterday. However, we know that he continues to live on spiritually and in everyone’s hearts and that he will be forever STRONG!!!”
Brooks set up the account Nov. 6 to help pay the family’s medical expenses. “DJ suddenly collapsed at football practice earlier this week and had to be transported to a children’s hospital in Atlanta where he is currently being treated for a cardiac condition,” the page stated.
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