16-Year-Old Las Vegas High School Student Dies After Collapsing During Flag Football Game
Ashari Hughes called football “the real love of her life”
by Evie B.
January 10, 2023 at 1:39 am
A Las Vegas high school student tragically lost her life on Thursday night while playing flag football.
According to a family member, the student, later identified as 16-year-old Ashari Hughes by the Clark County Coroner’s office, was playing a game when she began having chest pains. When she passed out, she had gone to the sidelines to take a break, KLAS-TV reports.
In an email to parents, Desert Oasis High School principal Ian Salzman said that “staff immediately began providing medical aid and continued until paramedics arrived,” but Hughes did not make it. The Clark County coroner has not yet released any information about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Hughes was seeing a cardiologist for ongoing heart problems, a family member told KVVU-TV. They said the doctor had given her the all-clear to participate in sports, but they were thinking about pulling her out to reassess her condition.
The incident involving Hughes happened a short time after Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills experienced a cardiac arrest and passed out on the field after taking a hard tackle to the chest, which attracted the attention of the national media. Before being taken to the hospital in critical condition, Hamlin received CPR for 10 minutes and seemed to be given oxygen.
Ashari Hughes, 16, dies after Desert Oasis High School flag football game https://t.co/XB2KCh4EN9 pic.twitter.com/itr1yuiCQP
— New York Post (@nypost) January 7, 2023
As Blavity recently reported, a Friday statement from the Buffalo Bills confirmed that Hamlin has regained control of his breathing and has communicated with his loved ones. The team said his “neurological function remains intact,” and he is making remarkable progress in his recovery.
Hughes’s loved ones expressed their gratitude that she could play “the game she loved” on a GoFundMe page but also expressed their deep sadness at her passing.
“She was passionate, loving and determined,” the family said, describing her personality. “She loved music, dancing and being around all the people she loved. She called football the real love of her life! She loved hard and was loved by many.”
“Hold the #7 up high for her!” her loved ones added. “It was her first football number, and she always wanted to represent it well!”
Dr. Jesus F. Jara, superintendent of the Clark County School District, also released a statement expressing their sorrow.
“The loss of this young life deeply saddens us, and our thoughts are with the students’ friends, family and loved ones,” he said.
Dr. Jesus F. Jara, superintendent of the Clark County School District, also released a statement.
“The loss of this young life deeply saddens us, and our thoughts are with the students’ friends, family and loved ones,” Jara said.
Statement from CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara in regards to the passing of a Desert Oasis High School student: pic.twitter.com/plAJck42Tu
— CCSD (@ClarkCountySch) January 6, 2023
In his email, Salzman urged parents to keep an eye on their kids in case they show signs of grief over Hughes’ passing and suggested they seek help from the CCSD Crisis Response Team.
May the beautiful Black princess find eternal peace. We offer the family and friends our heartfelt sympathies.