A Franklin High School student who died after collapsing on the football field was a junior lineman on the varsity football team.
Leslie Noble, 16, started for the varsity squad during his freshman year in 2022. He was known for his outgoing personality on and off the football field. Noble started 11 games for Franklin High in the 2023 season, accounting for 10 tackles and one sack.
His death is taking an emotional and financial toll on his family, according to a GoFundMe raising money for his funeral.
“His infectious laughter, his unwavering love for his family and friends and his bright future ahead of him has been cut short,” wrote Tekeiska Perry, who is organizing the fundraising. “He loved his mother and his siblings unconditionally.”
Nine sports returned to campus to start practices and tryouts. The first practice of the football season started Wednesday around 7:30 a.m. Noble collapsed on the field and resuscitation efforts were already in progress when the Baltimore County Fire Department arrived.
Temperature was in the mid-70s that morning. One parent, who did not want to be identified, told The Baltimore Banner that the players were running normal football drills for the first day of practice. Students were not wearing pads and equipment yet.
The incident happened quickly, the parent said, as Noble fell to the ground. Someone called 911. The crews from the Baltimore County Fire Department arrived, trying to resuscitate him.
Noble was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Tryouts and practices were canceled for the day and resumed on Thursday.
The GoFundMe for Noble had raised about $3,300 Friday night out of a goal of $10,000.
Noble’s death comes a few months after another Franklin High graduate and football player, JaJa Williams, died in a utility task vehicle accident.
The Maryland Office of the Medical Examiner said the cause of Noble’s death was undetermined as of Friday afternoon.
The school is offering counseling to students who request it.
