15-year-old Connecticut high school student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera dies after losing consciousness during soccer practice as his heartbroken mother paid tribute to ‘gentle giant’
- Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, lost consciousness during practice Tuesday
- District Superintendent Terrence Hill said the teen was not engaged in football drills or tackles at the time
- He was given CPR by police and medical responders, District Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families
A Connecticut high school student died after losing consciousness during a football practice in a tragedy that has left an entire town stunned and searching for answers, school officials said.
Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, lost consciousness during practice Tuesday and was given CPR by police and emergency medical technicians, district Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families.
Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks said Rivera was immediately given CPR by his coaches before police arrived.
Hill said the teen was not engaged in football drills or tackles at the time.
The student was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Hill said.
Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, lost consciousness during practice Tuesday and was given CPR by police and emergency medical technicians, district Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families
“Unfortunately, the medical professionals were unable to revive him,” he said.
Hill said crisis counselors would be available to students and staff on Wednesday.
“As a community we want to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and support them however we can,” he said.
No other information was provided about the student’s death. District officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Rivera’s mother, Chastity Hernandez, said Rivera’s passions were football and cars, his lifelong dream of playing for his favorite NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons.
“He was the most kind-hearted boy,” she said CT Insider. “He was a gentle giant.”
Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 2007, he moved to Connecticut in 2010 before returning to Texas in 2019, Hernandez said.
Affectionately known by teammates as “Big Texas,” he returned to Connecticut to “better focus on school and football.”
Rivera’s mother, Chastity Hernandez, said Rivera’s passions were football and cars, his lifelong dream of playing for his favorite NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 2007, he moved to Connecticut in 2010 before returning to Texas in 2019, Hernandez said
Affectionately known as “Big Texas” by teammates, he returned to Connecticut to “focus better on school and football.”
Rivera’s cause of death remained unknown Wednesday.
“A 15-year-old boy playing a sport he loved… there’s no way you can rationalize it,” Trinks told the Hartford Courant.
In a post on X, the Windsor Football Team dedicated the upcoming season to their fallen teammate.
“Gone from our sight but never from our hearts, we mourn the passing of Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, a wonderful son, brother, athlete, student and friend. #65 Forever in our hearts. We will miss you Big Texas, I love you. This season is all about you and Coach Knight.”
“He will be greatly missed,” his mother added. “But he will always be remembered with that big smile on his face.”
