North Carolina middle-school football player dies after cardiac arrest during practice
Thirteen-year-old Caden Sorrell suffered cardiac arrest while running a lap at a football practice in Greensboro and died despite intensive hospital care.
During a routine football practice at Northwest Guilford Middle School in Greensboro, 13-year-old Caden Sorrell began a lap around the field and suddenly suffered cardiac arrest. Emergency responders transported him to Cone Health Hospital, where physicians employed a heart pump and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support his heart and lungs, yet the damage was irreversible and he died on Sunday. His older sister, Vanessa Clark, recounted receiving the news while shopping and rushing to the hospital.
Doctors have suggested a possible hidden genetic disorder, prompting the family to arrange genetic testing for Caden’s twin brother and three other siblings via a GoFundMe campaign. The tragedy has deeply affected classmates and staff, with Principal CeCe Matson urging the community to keep the family in thoughts and prayers, and a vigil scheduled for Wednesday evening beside the school’s spirit rock.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the need for awareness of hidden heart conditions in youth athletes.
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