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Local pastor remembers Pike HS football player

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Friends and family of a Pike High School football player are mourning tonight, a few days after the athlete passed away.

14-year-old Collin Kelly suffered a medical emergency at practice Monday and died Tuesday.

Practice is suspended indefinitely. People in the Pike community are still wondering exactly what happened to Kelly, as officials are waiting on toxicology results which could take more than a month.

Pastor Terry Webster of Nu Corinthian Baptist Church said he’s looking back on Kelly’s short life with pride. He said he’ll remember the time the teenager spent in his church.

“The times that I would see Collin, I would see him serving with that big bright smile of his,” Webster said.

Kelly often visited Nu Corinthian Baptist Church, where his grandfather is a staff pastor, Webster said.

“Collin exhibited hope. When you looked at him you could tell he was a bright young man with a promising future,” Webster said.

Webster said he’s trying to comfort the Kelly family in the face of tragedy, and he has some advice for any other parents out there.

“Love your children. Always love them. Always give them hugs and kisses,” he said. “Because you never know when it just might be their last.”

Webster said he’d eventually like to see a vigil organized with the Pike High School community so everyone can mourn the loss together.