13-year-old boy dies after football injury

North Carolina eighth grader hurt on 'typical football play'

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updated 2:54 p.m. ET Oct. 11, 2007

LINCOLNTON, N.C. - A 13-year-old boy who was injured in a football game died later at a hospital, officials said Thursday.

Will McLeod, 13, was an eighth-grader at North Lincoln Middle School. He was hurt Wednesday night during a game against West Lincoln Middle School, said district spokeswoman Belinda Branson.

Branson said the injury occurred on a “typical football play,” but she did not have any other details. The boy was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Lincoln, then transferred to the medical center’s branch in Charlotte.

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The district has counselors and ministers on hand to help students, Branson said. Rhonda Hager, principal at the North Lincoln school, described Will as “an excellent student and a joy to be around.”

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