We should know what killed a 14 year old Tyquan Brantley of Lamar Tuesday afternoon. Brantley died at McLeod Health a few hours after collapsing on the football field following practice, last Saturday morning.
"We are heartbroken at this terrible tragedy," said Dr. Rainey Knight, superintendent of the school district. "Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to Tyquan's family, classmates, and coaches."
The Darlington County Coroner says he's not going to speculate about whether the 14 year old's death was heat related, but says he will release autopsy results sometime Tuesday afternoon.
Monday afternoon, Damian Fleming and Malik Robinson stood around sharing memories of their teammate Brantley.
"When I first found out, I bursted out crying because we he was on my team and I felt like I lost a brother and a friend," said Robinson.
"He was a nice and he didn't mess with nobody. He was a very cool person," said Damian Fleming.
Brantley was an inspiration to Chynna Durant.
"He always saying you can do this, you can do that and I always remember to keep it in my head of his voice saying it over and over again," said Durant.
The guys on the Lamar High School Silver Foxes football team say they called him "milk" on the team because he loved wearing white.
They say this season is for Brantley.
Robinson said, "He was always dedicated and at every practice, he always be the first person he be one of the first ones out there."
Fleming said, "He was very dedicated. He always wanted to play with us."
They say Tyquan transferred to Lamar from Florence School District Four which is Timmonsville, this summer.
The teammates say his death has really strengthened the football team.
"I just said it should bring us closer as a team and one as a family, like I'm saying, to do it all," said Steve Ervin.
Friends of Tyquan Brantley started a Facebook page in his memory. So far, it's received more than 800 likes and dozens of comments.
District officials say the football players practiced on the football field for an hour and fifteen minutes Saturday morning, ending practice at 10:45 AM. It was the second day of practice, and players were not in pads. The players had water at the fields.
Though an incoming freshman, Brantley was already a regular part of the Lamar High School family, participating in the school's summer conditioning program three days a week.
"Tyquan was an excellent young man, who worked hard for the game of football," said LHS Coach J. R. Boyd. "I was very excited about Tyquan's future as a Silver Fox. He will be missed by his family and the Silver Fox family."
According to district officials, students in sports and marching band who practice during the summer are given frequent cooling breaks and water. Water is always available. Outside football practices throughout the district are usually scheduled in the morning and evening to avoid the heat of the day. At Lamar High School, players practice for twenty minutes, then take a five-minute hydration break.
Services have not yet been set by the family. The Bacote-Eaddy Funeral Home in Timmonsville is handling arrangements.
