Family, friends prepare to say goodbye to Pike Township football player
PIKE TOWNSHIP (WISH) — Funeral arrangements have been finalized for a Pike Township football player who collapsed and later died after a medical emergency at practice.
Family said Collin Kelly, 14, was healthy and had no medical problems.
It has been an emotional week for family and friends of teenager. The soon-to-be high school sophomore had been playing football for Pike Township for the past two years.
His father told 24-Hour News 8 that he doesn’t know for sure what caused his son’s sudden and tragic death.
Christopher Kelly said he last talked to his son on Monday before going to work.
“I asked him, ‘you ready for football practice today?’” said Christopher Kelly, father. “He told me, yes, I’m ready dad.”
Kelly never thought in a million years that he would be talking about his son in the past tense this early.
“He was such a great guy, he was a great student, great mind,” said Kelly. “I’m going to miss my son.”
Kelly said his son was at practice at Pike Township when he suddenly collapsed.
The 14-year-old had been playing football for the township for the past two years.
Kelly said he was at work when he received a phone call letting him know that his son had collapsed and was not responding.
“I was devastated to see my only boy, my only son, laying there and I know he gave his all,” said Kelly. “He gave his all with football, he loved it.”
The family spent every second at the hospital while doctors tried to save him. Kelly said doctors told him that his son had a body temperature of 105 degrees.
“At the end of his fight, you know, the doctor did say heat stroke, that’s what the doctor did tell us,” said Kelly.
Not sure what to think next, Kelly said they are going to take it one step at a time. They are relying on family, friends, and prayers as they grieve.
“He was a perfectly healthy boy. He didn’t have a sick day in his life. He was always happy every morning,” said Kelly. “I never would have dreamed this would have happened. It just came out of nowhere.”
Kelly said the family won’t know for sure what cause Collin’s death until they get the autopsy and toxicology results.
24-Hour News 8 learned that could take anywhere between four to six weeks.
At this time, football practice at Pike Township has been suspended indefinitely.
Family and friends are preparing to say goodbye to the young football player on July 18.
The funeral is scheduled to take place at the Good Samaritan Baptist Church on the east side of Indianapolis, 608 E. 22nd Street.
The viewing is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with service to follow.