Player dies during JV football game in Massachusetts [Updated]

A 16-year-old boy collapsed and died while playing in a junior varsity football game Monday in Massachusetts.

Michael Ellessar was pronounced dead after arriving at a hospital by ambulance. The student from Sutton High had been taking part in a football game at Quaboag Regional High in Warren, about 60 miles west of Boston.

Worcester district attorney's office spokesman Tim Connolly said a referee attempted CPR on Ellessar before the teen was taken to the hospital.

The cause of death is unknown. Connolly said an autopsy was expected to be performed Tuesday.

[Updated at 11 a.m.: Worcester Dist. Atty. Joseph Early said Ellsessar's death appeared to be an accident. Early said Ellsessar was hit early in the game and later collapsed on the field.]

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments

[anonymous]

"appeared to be an accident."????

As opposed to what? A homicidal tackle by another player? A punt returner with a shiv?

Don't mean to make light of the tragedy of a teen dying, but if the DA really said that, seems like bigtime grandstanding on his part.