A high school football player in Arkansas unknowingly practiced for nearly an hour with a venomous snake inside his helmet before he felt something moving. Coaches at Maumelle High School discovered the roughly two-foot-long snake tucked under the helmet padding after the player raised the alarm during practice on August 6. Animal Services later identified it as a cottonmouth, removed it safely and released it in a wooded area away from the school. The player was not bitten and was given another helmet so he could return to practice. The incident has now led the team to remind players to check their equipment before wearing it.
Kirk Horton reacts after Maumelle High School football player finds snake
The player noticed unusual movement inside his helmet and took the problem to his defensive coach. The coach then alerted athletic director Kirk Horton, who helped deal with the situation. The snake was difficult to reach because it had slipped underneath the helmet’s padding.Speaking to KARK, Horton said, ‘It really was just shock and disbelief,’ and added, ‘I’ve got a better shot at winning the lottery than seeing this in my ten years.’Staff placed the helmet inside a tote bag while they waited for Maumelle Animal Services. Director Chris Davis said, ‘When the officers got there and stuff, they examined the helmet, and at that time they could see that there was a snake in the helmet,’ before officials confirmed it was not a copperhead and believed it was a cottonmouth or water snake.The animal was later confirmed as a cottonmouth. It was removed from the helmet and taken to a forested area away from the school. The player received a new helmet and continued practicing.
Chris Davis explains why the Maumelle High School snake discovery was so unusual
Davis said the incident was unlike anything he had dealt with during his work with animals. Speaking to KATV, he said, ‘I’ve removed a snake out of a car vent, in the engine, purses, backpacks,’ he said. ’In a helmet? Never.‘It was very unreal. You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real.’The snake had been hiding in a dark, protected part of the helmet, keeping it out of sight while the player practiced. Davis said the player was fortunate not to be bitten. He also warned about the danger of the species, saying, ‘The cottonmouth, in my opinion, is probably the second most venomous snake here in Arkansas. I would say the rattlesnake is probably the number one.’Animal Services had to wash the helmet out so the snake could be safely removed. It was then relocated away from the school rather than killed.The team later held a safety meeting and told players to check their equipment before putting it on. That advice came after the snake had remained hidden inside the helmet for almost an hour.For the player, a normal football practice turned into a frightening discovery. He had worn the helmet for close to an hour before noticing movement. Fortunately, the snake was found before anyone was bitten.