Two more deaths on the football field

The high school football practice season is barely a week old and yet it appears heat has taken at least three lives.

Another death was reported Monday - this time a coach - at Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas), where assistant Wade McLain collapsed during the squad's second football practice at approximately 6 p.m. He later was pronounced dead.

Mr. McLain, 55, is survived by a wife and five children. He influenced countless others on the playing field and classroom. He also coached baseball and taught history at Prestonwood.

"We are deeply saddened to let you know that this afternoon, assistant varsity football coach Wade McLain died unexpectedly following the team's regular practice," the school announced on its website. "Please be in prayer for Coach McLain's wife, Becky, and their five children. We are deeply saddened by the loss of coach McLain yet are thankful in knowing he is in the presence of Jesus."

The cause of death is not known but is believed to be related to soaring heat in the Dallas region. Monday was the 31st straight day there that temperatures climbed to triple digits.

Here is a touching tribute to Mr. McLain in the Dallas Morning News.

Mr. McLain's passing comes following the death of two players last week.

Lamar (S.C.) freshman Tyquan Brantley died on Saturday night after he collapsed during the morning session, the team's second day of official practice. Again, Brantley's cause of death is not known but temperatures soared to 101 on Saturday in Lamar.

"We are heartbroken at this terrible tragedy," Lamar school district superintendent Dr. Rainey Knight told South Carolina NBC affiliate WMBF.

On Wednesday, Miramar (Fla.) senior offensive lineman Isaiah Laurencin died at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Fla.

Nadine Drew, a Broward schools district spokesperson, said Laurencin collapsed during football conditioning at Miramar around 5 p.m. July 26 and was taken to Memorial West hospital. He was later taken to DiMaggio, where he died.

Laurencin was listed as a 6-foot-2, 250-pound junior last season on MaxPreps and numerous recruiting sites had him listed as a Division I prospect, included beRecruited.com. Here is a recruiting video of Isaiah. 

On Friday, according to the Miami Herald, more than 2,000 people paid tribute to Laurencin in a vigil. The cause of his death is still unknown.