Gainer, 18 who played for Port St Joe High School, fell just before halftime during an away game at Liberty County High School. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of Gainer’s death.
Jim Norton, Gulf District Schools superintendent said that Gainer collapsed and became unresponsive while returning to a defensive huddle after a water break. Norton also stated he was unaware of any pre-existing medical conditions Gainer might have had.
Norton also expressed his sorrow over Gainer’s death. “He was an exceptional young man, the kind you could call a hero,” Norton told CNN. “I considered Chance a friend.”
On the night of his death, Gainer had scored two touchdowns, contributing to his team’s victory. His passing has deeply affected the small community of Port St. Joe, which has about 500 students at the local high school.
“After the tragedy, school staff, friends, and community clergy gathered at Port St. Joe High School to support each other and the family, who joined them upon returning to town,” Norton said in a statement.
Gainer had recently visited Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he hoped to play football. “He had the grades and was thrilled about the opportunity Vanderbilt could offer him academically,” Norton told CNN.
Chance Gainer’s untimely death leaves his parents, siblings, and a community in mourning.
Chance is remembered by his parents, siblings, and his junior high school sweetheart, who is a cheerleader for the football team, Norton added.
Principal Sissy Godwin described Gainer as warm and quiet. “You might not have heard Chance in a crowd, but his smile was visible from across the room,” she said in a statement, according to a CNN report.
The National Federation of State High School Associations reported that six high school student-athletes had died in the past month due to various causes, including heart issues and injuries. Gainer’s death adds to this tally.
In the past month, three US high school football players have died since the new school year started. Alabama teen Semaj Wilkins died on August 13 after a medical emergency during practice at New Brockton High School. On the same day, 16-year-old Caden Tellier suffered a fatal brain injury in his season opener, and 13-year-old Cohen Craddock died after a collision in practice.