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Yahir Cancino: Texas high school football player tragically dies after head injury during junior varsity football game

Yahir Cancino's mother, Araceli Hernandez confirmed that her son had died and said that his organs will be donated

LUBBOCK, TEXAS: A West Texas high school football player died Saturday morning, September 3, after suffering a reported head injury this week during a junior varsity football game. Yahir Cancino, a student at Dalhart High School, lost consciousness during a game on September 1, according to a letter from Dalhart ISD Superintendent Jeff Byrd that was shared on social media. Cancino was unresponsive after suffering an injury, the letter said, and he was airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock, about 80 miles away. 

Cancino's cause of death and the reason behind his loss of consciousness have not been revealed. However, KCBD-TV in Lubbock reported Cancino had a head injury. A GoFundMe campaign set up for Cancino's family said the athlete was playing in the final quarter of the game when the incident occurred. Cancino's mother, Araceli Hernandez confirmed that her son had died in a statement on Facebook, and said that his organs will be donated.

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"Thank you to the community of Dalhart and the Texas panhandle for all the prayers, the calls, text and messages but unfortunately Yahir passed from his injuries," she wrote in the post, which included a picture of Cancino smiling. "We ask for prayers for peace and healing not only for us but for all the people Yahir touched in his life." Hernandez said the family chose to donate Cancino's organs to help others and "honor his memory."

"I know one thing for sure, that Yahir is with our Heavenly Father this kid love Him so much and was never afraid to share the gospel," she added. "I know he is up there pulling pranks and being the little rascal that he is. We love you so so much Yahir watch over sister, brother and Mom and Dad." The GoFundMe campaign for the family has raised over $45,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
On Sunday, Dalhart High School held a candlelight vigil in memory of Cancino, who they called "our sweet friend." 

Dalhart superintendent Jeff Byrd announced that Dalhart schools will not have any extracurricular activities over the weekend out of respect to Cancino and his family. School districts around the Texas Panhandle are encouraging students to wear purple on Thursday in memory of Cancino. Dalhart High’s school colors are purple and gold. 

MEAWW previously reported that Little League World Series player Easton Oliverson was placed in a medically induced coma after falling off a top bunk bed. The 12-year-old pitcher and outfielder of the Snow Canyon team out of Santa Clara, Utah, was rushed to the nearby children's hospital where he underwent surgery to stop the bleeding caused by a punctured artery around his brain on Sunday, August 14. The incident took place in the dormitory complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. According to Easton's father, Jace, he suffered a punctured artery resulting in brain bleeding. On Wednesday, August 17, the player's family updated his condition on their social media saying that he is awake and speaking. According to Oliverson's family, with Easton being injured, Brogan, his younger brother was selected as an alternate player for the team in their first game on Friday, August 19.