Winnipeg high school football player dies following neck injury

Winnipeg high school football player Darius Hartshorne, 17, has died two weeks after suffering a neck injury during a game.

A Winnipeg high school student has died after sustaining a spinal injury during a football game earlier in the month.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg School Division confirmed the death of the Grade 12 student Darius Hartshorne, who attended Sisler High School. The division said he passed away on Wednesday night.

“We extend our condolences to his family and friends,” the division said in a statement, adding that clinical support services will be available at Sisler.

A moment of silence was held Thursday by MLAs at the Manitoba Legislature.

Obby Khan, Progressive Conservative leader and a former Winnipeg Blue Bomber, shared an emotional tribute to the teen and his family.

“Darius turned 17 on Saturday. Sad to see a life taken so soon,” Khan said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, your loved ones, classmates, and everyone at Sisler.”

Khan said his heart breaks for his parents.

“As we offer our collective condolences to Darius’ family, we want to ensure there is perhaps some comfort for you during this difficult time knowing that the entire province is behind you.”

This news comes nearly two weeks after the teen sustained a neck injury during a football game between Sisler and Tec-Voc high schools.

A family member told CTV News the injury happened on the first play of the game, calling it a bad collision and a fluke play.

Severe injuries in school athletics are rare, but there have been recent instances in the United States.

A 13-year-old football player in West Virginia died last year after receiving a head injury in practice. An Alabama high school football player also died last year after suffering a brain injury during a game.

With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele, The Canadian Press, and The Associated Press