The Georgia High School Association has found no negligence or video evidence of a specific injury in the death of football player Dylan Thomas in Friday night's game against Peach County.
The GHSA released a statement at noon on Tuesday stating that GHSA executive director Robin Hines met with the Pike County Schools superintendent Mike Duncan and Pike County High athletics director James Stanford this morning to review the circumstances surrounding Thomas’ death.
Thomas died Sunday after falling unconscious in the third quarter of the game that was stopped and not resumed as Thomas was taken to a hospital. He was air-lifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he underwent surgeries to relieve swelling on the brain.
In reviewing the game film, the GHSA found no indication of an injury occurring in the second quarter of the game, nor any evidence that the player or a teammate reported an injury. Some media had cited sources indicating a first-half injury that did not lead to immediate symptoms.
In the third quarter, according to the GHSA, Thomas fell while attempting to pursue a play and reported a problem with the feeling in his leg. A certified trainer was called onto the field immediately, and the player was helped off the field with what appeared to be a leg injury, according to the GHSA.
Thomas was met at the bench by an orthopedic surgeon, who was on the sideline along with the Pike County certified trainer, the GHSA reported.
The student was wearing a 2018 model Riddell Flex helmet, the the highest-rated helmet that Riddell manufactures, according to the GHSA.
“The coaches had taken every precaution to prepare for potential injuries and went beyond the required standards when working within the concussion protocol,” the GHSA statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dylan Thomas’ family, his coaches, his teammates and the Pike County school system and community.”
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