Star Football Player Dead From ‘Medical Complications’ After Game

A rising football star died from unexpected medical complications over the weekend just hours after playing for his Mississippi school.

The death of Emanuell Cooks came shortly after his final game on September 18, stunning the southern state’s close-knit collegiate football community.

Dr. Steven Jones, president of Mississippi Delta Community College, said faculty and students are “devastated” by the loss of Cooks, 18.

“Our entire Trojan family is devastated by this loss,” he said in a statement. “At this time, our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Emanuell’s family, teammates, coaches, and friends. We will come together as a community to support one another through this tragedy.”

He added his wish that “everyone respect the privacy of the family and campus community as they grieve.”

It’s unclear if the medical incident occurred during or after Cooks’ final game against Hinds Community College. Neither coroner with the Hinds County and Sunflower County has yet provided comment to the Daily Mail.

Cook was “the sweetest gentle giant you would ever meet,” recalled Sara Mitchell, an elementary school teacher in their hometown of Elba, Alabama.

At 6’5″ and weighing 350 pounds, Cook was serious about working his way through community college and competing in the NFL draft one day.

“Our family, students, and staff have suffered an enormous loss,” Mitchell added on Facebook.

Others who knew Cooks paid their respects across the internet on Sunday.

“All of Elba loved E-Man so much,” Elba’s Kerry Keesee Johnson wrote on Facebook. “A gentle giant with an infectious smile, kind soul and huge heart of gold. We are shattered. Please pray for his family and the people of Elba. All losses are devastating but this one hits just a little harder.”

A reel from Cooks’s first three games of the season was posted to hudl, an online player tracker which helps coaches and scouts summarize up-and-coming talent as Division I schools seek to fill their rosters from feeder programs.

It’s unclear if Cooks had hoped to enter a larger college football program, but it wouldn’t be a surprise, according to those who knew him.

“After a long recruitment process I’ve decided to Commit to Mississippi Delta Community College,” the young star wrote online back in February.

Hinds Community College President Stephen Vacik called Thursday’s tragedy “a sobering reminder how precious our time here on earth really is.”

MDCC lost 48-0 to Hinds in what was Cooks’s final game.

Mississippi Gridiron reporter Chris Brooks wrote, “I just saw this kid running around last night, have pictures of him on my computer. Our days are numbered. Appreciate every one you get and do something with them. Prayers to Emanuell Cooks’ family and MS Delta. I can’t even imagine.”