Middle school football player in West Virginia dies from head injury sustained during practice

A 13-year-old football player from Madison Middle School in West Virginia tragically passed away over the weekend after sustaining a head injury during practice. Cohen Craddock, an eighth-grade defensive lineman, suffered brain bleeding and swelling following a tackle during practice on Friday. He was rushed to the hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, as confirmed by his father, Ryan Craddock.
After the impact, Cohen briefly got up, took a few steps, then collapsed unconscious. His father shared that his oxygen levels were low while being transported in the ambulance, describing the situation as a nightmare he wished he could wake up from.
In response to the devastating loss, Boone County Schools Superintendent, Matthew Riggs, stated that counseling and support services would be provided to students, faculty, and staff at Madison Middle School. School Principal Shann Elkins remembered Cohen as a respectful, intelligent, and valued member of the school community.
Ryan Craddock expressed his commitment to advocating for soft-shell helmet covers called Guardian caps for other players. He emphasized the importance of taking steps to prevent similar tragedies and ensuring the safety of young athletes, stating, “I don’t want anybody else to go through what we are going through currently.”