Byhalia residents gather to celebrate the life of fallen football player, 16
A large crowd gathered Monday evening at Byhalia High School for a balloon release memorial to honor the life of football player Dennis Mitchell.
The 16-year-old sophomore collapsed during an Aug. 24 game and later died.
Friends and family of Mitchell shared stories, hugs, and tears as they released an assortment of multi-color balloons high into the sky.
“Dennis was a good kid,” Mitchell’s mother Tracy said as she struggled to keep her composure. “He did anything I asked him to, he was there anytime I needed him — he was just my baby.”
Mitchell was always there to “make you smile and laugh” as a class clown, according to those in attendance. Like many teenagers, he enjoyed video games, sports and spending time with friends. The defensive lineman was popular among all students and school faculty.
Byhalia High football team mom and volunteer Kim Harris said Mitchell was the biggest cheerleader on the squad and helped keep the team together.
“He was the one, the inspirational leader,” she said as she removed her glasses to wipe away tears. “He meant a lot to this team, to this school, and to this community.”
A handful of people made brief speeches in front of the crowd, including Mitchell’s sister Toni, his grandmother Adeline Richard, and Byhalia High assistant McGee.
McGee — who was also Mitchell’s defensive coordinator — drew laughter from the crowd when he said his fallen lineman “was witty and always wanted to be the center of attention.” He then briefly addressed what happened in Friday’s game.
“Friday night was a tragedy,” he said. “There’s nothing we can say to change that.”
When McGee finished his speech, he walked toward the edge of the track near a chain-link fence. People flocked to him and offered emotional support as the coach said he wished he could have done more to help his player. football coach Jay
Mitchell’s older sister, Kiara, reiterated all of the positive things others said about her brother. Still, she wanted people to understand that he died doing what he loved to do.
“That’s playing football,” she said. “I’ve told his football team that, I wanted that to get to them because that’s how this is helping me get through this situation. There wasn’t no other way. It wasn’t violent, it wasn’t in the streets. That’s why it sits well for me.”
Mitchell’s wake is scheduled for noon Friday at Serenity Funeral Home in Holly Springs, Mississippi. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Byhalia High School gym.