Sheriff: Dead football player tested positive for cocaine

Published 1:38 pm Thursday, September 6, 2018

BYHALIA, Miss. (AP) — A north Mississippi high school football player who died at an Aug. 24 game in Clarksdale tested positive for cocaine, raising more questions about his death.

Marshall County sheriff’s spokesman Kelly McMillen tells news outlets that Dennis Mitchell tested positive for the drug. McMillen couldn’t say how much cocaine was found, and it’s unclear whether it contributed to the Byhalia High School player’s death.

Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith has said Mitchell left the field, had seizure-like activity and was pronounced dead after efforts to save him. Meredith says coaches didn’t allow Mitchell to resume play after showing symptoms. He says Mitchell had a nosebleed during practice the day before.

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Mitchell’s grandmother, though, has said Mitchell was hit hard early in the game, but requested to resume play.