High school student dies after collapsing during soccer practice

BLOOMFIELD, CT (WFSB) – A high school athlete died Wednesday after collapsing during a football practice.

Jahkye Gayle, 14, was a member of the Bloomfield Junior Warhawk football team.

After his collapse, Jahkye was immediately attended to by staff and emergency medical personnel on site.

Despite their efforts, Jahkye could not be revived.

Trevor Ford, the president of Junior Warhawks football, said Jahkye went down during a non-contact warmup drill.

“It was like a walk, basically just a light jog. Nothing strenuous or anything like that,” Ford explained.

On Saturday evening, the community came together to honor Jahkye’s memory.

Hundreds of his teammates, friends and family members gathered on the soccer field.

They lit candles and released balloons into the sky to honor him.

“It’s hard to lose my brother, someone I shared a room with, did everything with and grew up with. “He was an overall great person who changed people with his presence,” said Lamar, Jahkyes’ brother.

Jahkye was a talented football player who was known as a prankster among his teammates on the Junior Warhawks Pop Warner Football Team.

He was one of the longest-tenured players in the youth football program and was slated to receive the lifetime achievement award at this year’s banquet.

His mother, Stacey Haylett, spoke out about the loss of her youngest child.

“Jahkye was my youngest, my baby… I just don’t know what went wrong,” she said.

His soccer team will now dedicate the remainder of the season, including an upcoming appearance in the national championship, to Jahkye.

In response to the tragedy, Bloomfield’s interim principal and city manager issued a joint statement offering their condolences and urging the community to support each other during this difficult time.

“We encourage all students, staff and families to ask for help and rely on each other for support and strength,” the statement said.

To assist with grief and emotional support, counseling services will be available at both Bloomfield High School and Carmen Arace School beginning Monday.

Jahkye had recently transferred to Manchester High School. They released a statement saying: “Although this student was new to the Manchester community, we know that a loss like this has a profound impact on everyone…”

They will also provide counseling services for students and staff during this difficult time.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Jahkye’s family with future expenses.

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