Community college football player Emanuell Cooks has become the latest young athlete to die in 2025 after suffering medical complications following a football game in Mississippi.
Cooks’ death was announced in a statement released by Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) on Friday. The statement did not specify the cause of death but expressed profound grief and offered support services to students, faculty, and staff. MDCC President Steven Jones described the loss as a devastating blow to the Trojan family, emphasizing the community’s commitment to supporting those affected.
Cooks, who was from Elba, Alabama, was a freshman offensive lineman, according to his profile on MDCC’s website. He died after playing a game against Hinds Community College in Raymond on Thursday. Hinds Community College President Stephen Vacik called Cooks’ death ‘a sobering reminder of how precious our time here on earth really is.’
This tragedy follows a series of similar incidents in 2025, including the deaths of Corey Adams, a freshman with the Ole Miss Rebels football team, in July, and Jeremiah Kelly, a Cincinnati freshman offensive lineman, in April. Meanwhile, Hadden Kelly, a 17-year-old high school golfer, died in Georgia after collapsing in a yard, and Chase Stegall, a 20-year-old DePaul University student, died at his residence hall in June. These deaths highlight the growing concern about the safety and well-being of young athletes at all levels of competition.
The college’s statement encourages the community to come together and support one another through this tragedy, underscoring the collective impact of such losses on families and teammates. As the investigation into Cooks’ cause of death continues, the focus remains on providing solace and resources to those affected by this heartbreaking event.