High School Football Player Dies After Medical Emergency During Practice

A Texas high school community is grieving the devastating loss of one of its standout football players, who died days after suffering cardiac arrest during practice.

Odin Hensley, a senior member of the Lake Travis varsity football team, experienced the medical emergency on Monday morning and was rushed to the intensive care unit at a nearby hospital.

Emergency responders began life-saving treatment at the scene before Travis County STAR Flight airlifted the teenager to Dell Children’s Medical Center, where he arrived in critical condition. 

Physicians monitored Hensley in the ICU over the following days, but he died Wednesday night, his uncle confirmed.

Lake Travis ISD Superintendent Curtis Null addressed the heartbreaking death in a letter sent Thursday to district families and staff.

‘It is with profound sadness that we share that Lake Travis High School senior Odin Hensley has passed away as a result of complications from a medical emergency,’ Null wrote.

Tributes from friends, family, teammates and staff members have swiftly poured in for the ‘determined young man who was a valued’ member of the football team.

Null’s letter added: ‘Odin had been part of the Lake Travis ISD family for many years, beginning at Lake Pointe Elementary School. 

‘At Lake Travis High School, he was a dedicated two-sport athlete who excelled in wrestling and football. His teachers and coaches remember Odin as a kind, determined young man who was a valued teammate, classmate, and friend.

‘We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for Odin, his family, and the Lake Travis football family over the past several days. Many have reached out with compassion and generosity, and that love has been felt by us all.

‘During this difficult time, we ask that you keep Odin’s family, teammates and classmates, coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, and all those who knew and loved him in your thoughts and prayers.

‘The care and strength of our community will help us support one another in the days ahead.’ 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Hensley’s family throughout the harrowing ordeal and has raised over $150,000 at the time of writing. 

The page’s description reads: ‘The money raised will go toward hospital bills, rehabilitation, and helping cover lost income while Odin’s parents take the time they need to be with him. 

‘The last thing this family should have to worry about right now is how they are going to manage financially when all of their energy needs to be on Odin and his healing.’

Meanwhile, Greg Gold, a Lake Travis parent, revealed that he had a firsthand perspective on the medical emergency and praised first responders for their efforts.

‘I was there. I witnessed it firsthand, and most importantly, I am praying hard and often for this young man,’ Gold wrote in a Facebook post Monday.

‘I also cannot say enough about the way the Lake Travis coaching staff, athletic training/medical staff, and EMS professionals responded today,’ Gold wrote.

‘It was incredibly clear that the people responsible for the safety and care of our kids were highly trained, prepared, and remarkably composed in an extremely difficult situation. The coaches handled the emotions of the moment while quickly and calmly getting the other players off the field without creating additional panic.

‘At the same time, the young man in need was immediately surrounded by LT staff and EMS professionals, with all hands on deck doing everything possible to protect him, care for him, and give him the attention he needed.’

‘To every coach, trainer, medical professional, and EMS professional who responded today: THANK YOU,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you for being prepared. Thank you for remaining calm. Thank you for doing everything in your power to take care of one of our boys.’