Middle school student dies after football practice injury left him unconscious

MADISON, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) - A West Virginia community is mourning the death of a middle school athlete who died on Saturday.

Cohen Craddock, an eighth grade student at Madison Middle School in Madison, died Saturday after sustaining injuries Friday during football practice.

According to Joseph Smith, executive director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority, medics responded Friday to Madison Middle School to treat a football player who sustained a head injury. Craddock was then taken to the hospital for treatment.

On Saturday, Craddock died as a result of his injuries, according to the Boone County Ambulance Authority.

Boone County Superintendent Matthew Riggs released a statement on behalf of the schools. He said, in part, “The entire Boone County Schools’ community is beginning to mourn the loss of Cohen Craddock, an 8th grade student at Madison Middle School. As a Redhawk, Cohen was loved by his classmates, his teachers, his administrators, and the entire Madison Middle School staff. Cohen was also a member and leader of the Redhawks’ Football Team ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cohen’s family, friends, teammates, classmates, and the entire MMS staff. As our thoughts and prayers go out to Cohen’s family, we would ask that same from the community in that his family may find healing, comfort, protection and strength.”

Riggs said numerous modes of support will be in place, starting on Monday for middle school students, athletes, faculty and staff.

“The staff, students and football team at Madison Middle School would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love, support, kindness and caring that has been expressed from so many across the state, region, and nation,” said Madison Middle School principal Shann Elkins said. “It has been overwhelming and comforting in this time of heartbreak. We would like everyone to know that Cohen was a wonderful, polite, and smart young man who was an important part of our school family.”

Several communities around the region expressed their support for Craddock’s family, friends and school.

In a Facebook post, Roane County High School asked their county and community to show support through prayers.