A high school football player from Georgia was found dead on Sunday after he tragically died suddenly at just 17 years old.
Brandon Smith’s unexpected death came on the day before his team was due to take part in the state championship game.
The teen’s body was found on Sunday evening after he was reported missing by his coach, according to NBC News.
Smith’s football coach put up a missing persons post for him on Saturday, but the post was deleted on Sunday morning, NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta reported.
Smith attended Manchester High School, which has made it to the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship.
Meriwether County School System, of which Manchester High School is a part, confirmed Smith’s death in a letter that it sent to parents over the weekend.
The letter, in part, reads:
We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith.
At the time of this writing, authorities have not released much information about Smith’s passing.
The cause of Smith’s death was not announced.
Manchester authorities were investigating his death and reportedly requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Fox News reports.
Meriwether County School System, in its letter to parents, also wrote, “The circumstances behind this tragedy are still being investigated and will be shared publicly by local authorities.”
In the meantime, the local community is remembering Smith.
In its letter to parents, the school system wrote:
“Brandon was a loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field.
“He will be deeply missed.”
Newsweek reports that Smith was set to play a big role in the state championship game.
Per the outlet:
Smith had been due to star in the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship on Monday, playing for Manchester High School against Bowdon High School at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is used by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons for their home games.
The match had been particularly eagerly anticipated because it was his school’s first championship game since 1997, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NBC reports that the game was postponed but still went ahead on Monday night.
Meriwether County School System, in its letter to parents, wrote:
“Manchester High School’s celebration of playing for the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship has unfortunately turned into something none of us could have fathomed.”
Meriwether County football player dies on eve of team’s state title game. 17-year-old Brandon Smith’s body was found this morning. His coach posted on FB on Sat., he was missing. @GBI_GA assisting Manchester PD. https://t.co/A9oMBSzFbQ pic.twitter.com/OH1nB0wtWv
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) December 10, 2023
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