Football Player Dies From Ant Bites

A football player has died from ant bites. Cameron Espinoza, age 12, was attacked by ants while playing football. The Texas boy screamed for help, then collapsing on the field.

Espinoza was rushed to Driscoll Children’s Hospital. However, he had a severe allergic reaction to the bites. Within four days he was dead.

Josephine Limon, Espinoza’s mother, is devastated. She says the school should have supplies to counteract an allergic reaction.

Limon says she was not aware her son was allergic to ants.

As reported by NBC News, Espinoza loved football. His mother says he already talked to recruiters about playing in college. Espinoza was proud of his number “66” and hoped to retain the number, and his position as center, during college.

Espinoza’s dreams for the future included a career in medicine.

Limon has not specifically mentioned a lawsuit. However, she has hired an attorney. She has numerous issues with the way the incident was handled.

As soon as Cameron Espinoza was taken away, the game continued. The coaches were not aware that the football player’s ant bites were fatal. However, they knew a child was injured.

Limon is also upset because the school was well aware of the ant problem. School board member Hector Salinas went to the field after the incident. He counted 20 large ant hills.

When he questioned school officials, Salinas was told that the ants are only a problem after it rains. He is not satisfied with the answer, and is working toward a solution.

School officials say they have cancelled all sports activities and applied insecticide to the fields.

As reported by USA Today, students are wearing green and white ribbons to honor their classmate. Each ribbon is marked with the number 66.

School administrators are planning something more permanent to memorialize Cameron Espinoza.

Although the football player’s ant bites were fatal, it is a rare occurrence. The reaction can often be stopped by a shot if it is administered in time.

[Image via Fotopedia]