HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — Heartbreak for a Hopewell community on Wednesday evening as residents came together to honor the life of a 15-year-old Hopewell student who died after suffering a medical emergency at football practice.
Family and friends of Jayvion Taylor shared heartfelt memories at a packed prayer vigil inside Hopewell High School’s gym during the evening on Wednesday, Aug. 7. Several people who were in attendance were in tears and in shock that such a bright personality and young life is now gone.
The gym was filled with students, teachers, and community members all honoring the young sophomore life. Jay’s teammates Michael Hammond and Orrin Besley say the love they have for their teammate will never go away.
“I think he’s smiling. I think he’s smiling. He’s laughing. He’s above everyone’s shoulders and everyone’s guidance,” Hammond said. “He’s here, his spirit and heart. And he’s, I guess, another move from my little brother, man. But I love him so much.”
According to a press release from Hopewell City Public Schools, Taylor collapsed from what they are calling a “medical emergency.”
The press release goes on to say that two nearby coaches performed CPR and called 911, however, it is unclear if there was an AED (automated external defibrillator) machine near where the incident happened. Paramedics arrived before the machine was used and took Taylor to the hospital, where he later died.
Jay’s cousin Quinton Taylor says that he was on the team last year and never thought something like this would happen.
“I prayed. And that’s the way of thinking, of the best situation possible. That’s all. I never thought about the worst because I always try to keep the family uplifted. He is going to be everywhere. He will not be forgotten,” Taylor said.
Hammond and Besley recall the terrifying event where they lost a friend forever. Hammond was there when Taylor collapsed on the field and says it was one of the most gut-wrenching moments he has ever experienced.
“Oh, it’s just someone just tapped out of the practice. Someone just tapped out. We saw it was Jay and we have seen that he wasn’t moving. We were all thinking, he’s going to bounce back. It’s Jay. He’s strong. Nothing’s going to change that. He’s going to go back tomorrow. But it was just something different,” Hammond said.
During the prayer vigil, Hopewell High School football coach Billy Horne presented Taylor’s family with a football jersey in his honor, as a physical reminder to help them keep moving forward and to help keep his memory alive.
“I know what God gave him, but God gave him something that only he could do and only he could shine apart from everybody. So, it’s the same thing, just positivity that he could always bring upon with everyone,” Hammond said.
Both Taylor’s parents and his grandmother were present at Wednesday’s vigil.
Hopewell High School leaders say that grief counseling will be available at the school for anyone who needs it.
