The mother of a Miramar High School football player who collapsed and died on the practice field last July says she's suing the Broward County School system.
Isaiah Laurencin was a 16-year-old football player with NFL dreams but after he collapsed the evening of July 26, 2011, and died the next morning, the medical examiner ruled his death was natural, caused by cardiac arrest during physical exertion due to sickle cell trait.
But his mother, Angela Cooper, isn't buying it.
“I feel like my son would still be here today if they did follow proper protocol," Cooper told NBC 6.
Cooper believes her son, an offensive lineman, died of heat exhaustion and blames his coaches and the school for putting winning over safety. The session Laurencin collapsed during was the school's second practice of the day.
"Yes, you want to win a game, but not to the point of taking our childrens' lives," Cooper said.
The Broward County School District said it can't comment on a pending lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Laurencin's family is not only asking for answers, but better regulations in the future.
"We entrusted that our children would come home the same way they left the house," Cooper said. "In good health."
Laurencin's family is being represented by attorney Benjamin Crump, the same lawyer who represents Trayvon Martin's family.
