Tragedy struck the Georgia football community as a 17-year-old player, Brandon Smith, was discovered lifeless on Sunday, just a day prior to his anticipated participation in his high school’s state championship game.
Expressing profound sorrow, the Meriwether County School System released a statement lamenting the untimely demise of their student-athlete. The Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office sought assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to address the crime scene in Manchester, and the GBI has taken over the investigation.
As a key player for the Manchester Blue Devils, Smith was slated to compete against Bowdon High School in the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship. Despite the somber turn of events, the championship game is set to proceed at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, according to a high school spokesperson.
Situated approximately 70 miles southwest of Atlanta, Manchester High School was shaken by the loss of Smith, whose football coach had posted a missing person notice on Saturday. However, the post was reportedly removed on Sunday morning.
The cause of Smith’s death has not been disclosed by authorities, and attempts to contact the Meriwether County Coroner for comments were unsuccessful.
You can also read: Ex-Marine Admits Guilt in Planned Parenthood Firebombing Case
Remembered as a dedicated teammate and friend who excelled both on and off the field, Brandon Smith’s absence will be deeply felt, as acknowledged by the Meriwether County School System. In response to the tragedy, Manchester High School pledged to provide mental health support for students starting Monday morning.