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Ashari Hughes: High school student with cardiac issues collapses and dies during flag football home game

Despite her doctor's approval for her to participate in sports, her parents were debating taking her out to have her condition reevaluated

NEVADA, LAS VEGAS: A 16-year-old high school student-athlete, Ashari Hughes, from Las Vegas collapsed and died after experiencing a "medical emergency" while playing flag football on Thursday, January 5. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Desert Oasis High School principal Ian Salzman stated in an email that Ashari experienced a "medical emergency" and campus staff members promptly provided medical help until paramedics arrived during the school's home game against Valley High School. The cause of the death is yet to be revealed.

A family member informed KVVU-TV that Ashari was seeing a cardiologist due to ongoing cardiac issues. They said that despite her doctor's approval for her to participate in sports, her parents were debating taking her out to have her condition reevaluated. Superintendent of schools for Las Vegas, Jesus Jara, issued a statement in which he expressed the district's sympathy for Hughes' family, friends, and loved ones. “The loss of this young life deeply saddens us,” Jara said. “When a tragedy occurs, it affects not only that school but the entire Clark County School District family,” as per CBS News.

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Hughes' family expressed their gratitude that she was able to play "the game she loved" on a GoFundMe page and stated that she "will be missed by all of us."

"She was passionate, loving, and determined," the family wrote. "She loved music, dancing, and being around all the people she loved. She called football the real love of her life! She loved hard and was loved by many." "Hold the #7 up high for her!," they added. "It was her first football number and she always wanted to represent it well!" In his email, school principal Salzman advised parents to keep an eye on their kids in case they show any signs of grief over Hughes' death and to seek help from the Crisis Response Team of the CCSD.

Hughes's tragic death came a few days after Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills experienced a heart attack and passed out on the field after taking a hard tackle to the chest. He was resuscitated on the field on Monday, January 2 during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buffalo Bills said on Friday that Hamlin could now talk to his family and was breathing on his own. His "neurologic function is intact," according to the team, which also stated that he "continues to improve amazingly in his recuperation."