How did Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia die? New Jersey boy collapses during no-contact football practice
ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY: Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia, a 12-year-old middle school student from New Jersey, died on Friday, February 17, after collapsing during a no-contact football practice. The event outraged the family of the injured youngster, who claimed that none of the trainers at the camp knew how to perform CPR.
According to Today, the boy reportedly passed out during the workout, allegedly causing the coaches to panic. The 10-year-old middle schooler's brother called his parents to let them know what was going on. The adults at the scene didn't know how to perform CPR, and the parents were informed that they were attempting to phone 911.
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Who was Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia?
Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia, who played for the Essex County Predators, was a sixth-grader at KIPP Rise, according to News12. A GoFundMe page was also created in memory of the young boy. The page description reads, “Elijah was an outgoing, loving young kid. He loved dancing and football and loved his family. He made sure everyone was comfortable with his infectious smile. He loved going to school and he loved his friends.” The GoFundMe page had raised over $33,454 so far to support the boy's funeral costs.
Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia’s mother Raven Brown also recalled the first conversation he had about the passing out, adding that it was her younger son who called her to let her know that Elijah has passed out. She told News12, “I said, ‘What are they doing? What is anybody doing?’ And he said, ‘They are pouring water on him, and they are fanning him.’ And that’s when I got my kids together and I said, ‘I’m on my way.’”
Several individuals, including Brown herself, asked for the school paramedics to go to the field, but an ambulance wasn't there for a long period, according to Brown. "I was fighting for him. I grabbed him, and I just kept saying, 'Elijah, get up,' but I knew he was gone,” she recalled. Brown went on to say, “He was so happy to be there. He didn’t know that it was going to be his last day."
Condolences poured in for Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia
After Elijah Jordan Brown-Garcia’s tragic passing, several came on social media and paid their condolences to him. According to NBC News, a spokesperson for the hospital also released a statement saying, "University Hospital extends its deepest condolences to the grieving family of this young person. For privacy reasons, however, UH cannot comment on protected health information regarding our patients, including confirmation of a patient’s identity."
According to NBC News, his school, KIPP, also issued a formal statement saying, “Elijah will be deeply missed by our KIPP students, families, and educators and we will remember him as a kind, outgoing student who was a friend to all." One user wrote on Twitter, “Another young athlete gone suddenly. Elijah Jordan Brown Garcia collapsed and died during a light football drill with no explanation. Prayers to the Brown-Garcia family.”
Elijah's football team paid tribute to him on Instagram writing, “Our Hearts are crushed and our condolences scream out to the family of our very own Elijah E2 Brown. We love You.” The team also mentioned in the post that a balloon release honoring Elijah will take place at West Side Park on February 18.