Douglas County High School football player has left family and friends hearts broken of his death
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Douglas County High School football player has Died |
Late Sunday, Zyrees’ family faced the heartbreaking decision of removing the ventilator, an aunt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. There was no longer hope for the teen’s recovery, Nina Oliver said.
“He’s already in heaven,” Oliver said late Sunday.
“It’s incomprehensible,” Nina Oliver said. “We had a healthy, beautiful, vibrant young man.”
A standout on the field and in the classroom, Zyrees had a 3.8 GPA and hoped to play college football, according to friends and family. His classmates were shocked to learn of his illness, and wore team colors and held a prayer circle at school Friday.
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Zyrees Oliver (70) of the Douglas County Tiger Football Team |
Zyrees died around 1 a.m. Monday, Douglas County Coroner Randy Daniel said. Principal Tim Scott informed students of Zyrees’ death on Monday and said grief counselors are at the school.
“Zyrees was part of the Tiger Family since the end of his sophomore year, but during that short time he touched many lives,” Scott said in an emailed statement. “Zyrees was a blessing to his football and track teammates, his classmates, coaches and our school staff.”
Nina Oliver said her younger sister had moved to Georgia a year ago with her sons for a fresh start. Zyrees quickly made friends and earned the respect of his teammates.
“He was absolutely a born leader,” Oliver said. “Zyrees was just the type of person that would do anything in the world for you. He was just the most respectful kid you ever wanted to meet.”
Zyrees had medical issues in recent months, including cramping, dehydration and migraines, according to his family. While it is not yet known what caused him to collapse, his loved ones said they suspect Zyrees over-hydrated after practice, drinking two gallons of water and two gallons of Gatorade.
“He was never sick. Never,” his aunt said.
Doctors have told the teen’s family that he suffered massive swelling around his brain, family members said. An autopsy will be conducted by the GBI to determine his cause of death, Daniel said.
The family is hoping to raise money to return Zyrees to New Jersey, where he’ll be buried. A fund-raising page has been created on the GoFundMe website in his honor.
“I don’t know how we will ever get through this, but we’re going to honor his memory every chance we can,” Oliver said.
In addition to his parents, Zyrees is survived by three brothers
R.I.P Zyrees Oliver
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