08/12/26 09:11:00
Printable Page
08/12 08:58 CDT High school football player in Arkansas practices with a
venomous snake in his helmet
High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his
helmet
MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) --- A high school football player in Arkansas had every
right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during
practice.
The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following
warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection.
A slithering 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.
The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to
pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services
technicians arrived a few minutes later, identified the snake as a deadly
cottonmouth and took it to a wooded area far from the school.
Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.
Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly
an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten.
"It was unreal," Davis said. "You had to kind of be there and take pictures to
say this was real."
The player grabbed a different helmet and continued practice. But the situation
caused the head coach to reiterate to his team that players should examine
their equipment carefully before using it, checking for insects --- or maybe
something larger and more dangerous.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
|
