UPDATE: Walker Wilbanks died today. The Jackson Free Press expresses our condolence to his family and to the Jackson Prep community. Read more in the comments below.
JACKSON (AP) — A high-school football lineman is in critical condition.
Jackson Prep headmaster Jason Walton says junior guard and defensive tackle Walker Wilbanks became ill during the second half of Friday's game. School officials say his family took him to a hospital, and he had a seizure in the emergency room. University of Mississippi Medical Center spokesman Marc Rolph said Sunday that Wilbanks remains in critical condition.
School spokeswoman Crisler Boone says she doesn't know whether Wilbanks was playing when he became ill. A statement from the school says more than a thousand people gathered there Saturday night for a prayer vigil for Wilbanks.
Riley Blevins, the recruiting reporter at The Clarion-Ledger, tweeted this morning that on almost every car in the Jackson Prep parking lot is "Pray 4 Walker" written in chalk.
If you type in Walker Wilbanks on Twitter, you'll find many tweets of encouragement and condolences, along with trending hashtags #pray4walker and #prayforwalker. On Aug. 23, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Walker Wilbanks, his family, his coaches and team during this difficult time." Callaway High School basketball star Malik Newman tweeted "Prayers to Walker Wilbanks at Prep #prayforwalker get well my guy!"
Officials say grief counselors will be on hand for students Monday.
The school is suspending sports and other activities until further notice.
Amber Helsel contributed to this report.
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