Tribal Warfare
08-15-2010, 03:45 AM
Ickey Woods' son dies at 16 (http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20100814/NEWS01/308140012/)
Elbert Jovante Woods, the 16-year-old son of former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Ickey Woods, died at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, three days after collapsing at his home from an asthma attack.
Jovante, who would have been a starting cornerback at Princeton High School this football season, had been on a ventilator after being transported in an ambulance to the hospital about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"His brain had been without oxygen for about 30 minutes while he was being taken to the hospital," said Scott Kaufman, Princeton School District athletic director.
Tests taken at the hospital at 8 p.m., Saturday, indicated no brain activity, Kaufman said. He said that a half-hour after the test, Ickey Woods told him Jovante had died.
"I am sure everyone here can only imagine the pain and sadness the Woods family is feeling right now," Kaufman said. "As I left the hospital, Jovante's mom and dad both said that 'God has a plan.' They are both pillars of strength for their family and friends. The Woods family is sincerely grateful for the love, support and prayers that everyone has shown them during Jovante's battle."
Ickey Woods is head coach of the Cincinnati Sizzle, a women's full-contact football team, and he operates the Ickey Woods Youth Foundation.
Jovante had practiced with Princeton's varsity Wednesday morning. About 6:30 p.m. that day at his home, he began feeling a tightness in his chest and collapsed.
When the varsity football team picture was taken on Saturday morning, a player in the front row held up Jovante's jersey so he would have a presence in the photo.
"The kids just loved him like a brother," varsity football coach Bill Leach said. "He was just a great kid. You can't come up with enough superlatives to describe him."
Last year, he was a starter for the junior varsity and played on special teams for the varsity.
He said with Jovante's talent and work ethic, he would have become a Division 1 college football prospect. Jovante also ran track for Princeton.
In tribute to Jovante, the varsity football helmets will bear a sticker with Jovante's jersey number, 24, on it.
Besides being a talented athlete, Jovante was an excellent student, with a 3.8 GPA.
The school district held a press conference at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, to announce his death and to pay tribute to him. About 30 students gathered at school to console one another.
The high school will be open to all students today (Sunday, Aug. 15) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Kaufman said counselors, teachers and other school personnel will be on hand to help students cope with their grief. Jovante, Princeton's new school year begins on Monday. The Woods family has not yet made funeral arrangements.
Elbert Jovante Woods, the 16-year-old son of former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Ickey Woods, died at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, three days after collapsing at his home from an asthma attack.
Jovante, who would have been a starting cornerback at Princeton High School this football season, had been on a ventilator after being transported in an ambulance to the hospital about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"His brain had been without oxygen for about 30 minutes while he was being taken to the hospital," said Scott Kaufman, Princeton School District athletic director.
Tests taken at the hospital at 8 p.m., Saturday, indicated no brain activity, Kaufman said. He said that a half-hour after the test, Ickey Woods told him Jovante had died.
"I am sure everyone here can only imagine the pain and sadness the Woods family is feeling right now," Kaufman said. "As I left the hospital, Jovante's mom and dad both said that 'God has a plan.' They are both pillars of strength for their family and friends. The Woods family is sincerely grateful for the love, support and prayers that everyone has shown them during Jovante's battle."
Ickey Woods is head coach of the Cincinnati Sizzle, a women's full-contact football team, and he operates the Ickey Woods Youth Foundation.
Jovante had practiced with Princeton's varsity Wednesday morning. About 6:30 p.m. that day at his home, he began feeling a tightness in his chest and collapsed.
When the varsity football team picture was taken on Saturday morning, a player in the front row held up Jovante's jersey so he would have a presence in the photo.
"The kids just loved him like a brother," varsity football coach Bill Leach said. "He was just a great kid. You can't come up with enough superlatives to describe him."
Last year, he was a starter for the junior varsity and played on special teams for the varsity.
He said with Jovante's talent and work ethic, he would have become a Division 1 college football prospect. Jovante also ran track for Princeton.
In tribute to Jovante, the varsity football helmets will bear a sticker with Jovante's jersey number, 24, on it.
Besides being a talented athlete, Jovante was an excellent student, with a 3.8 GPA.
The school district held a press conference at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, to announce his death and to pay tribute to him. About 30 students gathered at school to console one another.
The high school will be open to all students today (Sunday, Aug. 15) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Kaufman said counselors, teachers and other school personnel will be on hand to help students cope with their grief. Jovante, Princeton's new school year begins on Monday. The Woods family has not yet made funeral arrangements.