Local 8 Headlines

Sophomore running back dies in football practice following hard hit

Posted: 6:52 AM Aug 22, 2012

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (AP) -- A family friend says a Millington High School football player got up after a hard hit during practice, but collapsed and died.

Dana Payne was a 15-year-old sophomore running back.

Frank Sharp told The Commercial Appeal he didn't see the youth get hit, but he heard it. Sharp, who attended practice Tuesday afternoon, said Payne initially stood up after the hit, but then he stopped breathing. Sharp said CPR was performed and Payne began breathing again, but he died in route to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.

Sharp said the youth wanted to become a doctor and liked Vanderbilt University.

Millington was scheduled to open its season on the road Friday against Kirby.

Payne's death is believed to be the first prep football fatality in Tennessee since Jack Logue of Sullivan South died during a 2009 game against Knoxville West.