Monday, August 25, 2014
UPDATE: Walker Wilbanks died today. The Jackson Free Press expresses our condolence to his family and to the Jackson Prep community. Read more in the comments below.
JACKSON (AP) — A high-school football lineman is in critical condition.
Jackson Prep headmaster Jason Walton says junior guard and defensive tackle Walker Wilbanks became ill during the second half of Friday's game. School officials say his family took him to a hospital, and he had a seizure in the emergency room. University of Mississippi Medical Center spokesman Marc Rolph said Sunday that Wilbanks remains in critical condition.
School spokeswoman Crisler Boone says she doesn't know whether Wilbanks was playing when he became ill. A statement from the school says more than a thousand people gathered there Saturday night for a prayer vigil for Wilbanks.
Riley Blevins, the recruiting reporter at The Clarion-Ledger, tweeted this morning that on almost every car in the Jackson Prep parking lot is "Pray 4 Walker" written in chalk.
If you type in Walker Wilbanks on Twitter, you'll find many tweets of encouragement and condolences, along with trending hashtags #pray4walker and #prayforwalker. On Aug. 23, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Walker Wilbanks, his family, his coaches and team during this difficult time." Callaway High School basketball star Malik Newman tweeted "Prayers to Walker Wilbanks at Prep #prayforwalker get well my guy!"
Officials say grief counselors will be on hand for students Monday.
The school is suspending sports and other activities until further notice.
Amber Helsel contributed to this report.
Comments
ryannave 9 years, 8 months ago
Flowood, MS – The following letter was released to parents this afternoon. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Walker Wilbanks. Please note that media are not invited to the prayer gathering today. Dear Jackson Prep family, My heart is broken as I write this letter to you. I am reaching out to share we have been notified by the family of the passing of Walker Wilbanks. Since our home football game against Oxford High School, the singular focus of this community has been prayer. We have been on our knees in prayer individually, in prayer circles, at houses of worship, and here on campus. We have been praying fervently for a miracle that the health and well-being of our beloved friend and student, Walker, would be restored. Today, our prayers continue to be with David, Shelia, and Landon and the rest of the extended Wilbanks family, as well as Walker’s friends here at Prep and beyond. Walker was a junior at Jackson Prep who distinguished himself as a multi-sport student athlete who had been on state championship football and baseball teams. Walker was also a member of the Jackson Prep track team. The numbers of friends we have seen over the last few days have been a testament to the loving, caring, and charismatic young man that blessed all our lives. We want to extend our gratitude to the physicians and other health care professionals at Baptist Hospital and University of Mississippi Medical Center for caring for Walker and for their patience in accommodating hundreds of concerned classmates and friends. Arrangements for services will be handled by the Wilbanks family’s church, First Baptist Church of Jackson. Further details will be shared as soon as they become available. The Wilbanks family is requesting time to themselves for the remainder of the day. There will be a special time of prayer at Jackson Prep this evening at 6:00 p.m. in Patriot Gymnasium. Parents and students are welcome, and counselors and youth pastors will be present. This will be a time to simply gather and be with one another during this difficult hour. Respectfully, Jason L. Walton Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
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