Two children try to tackle another child as he looks to score a touchdown. | Pixabay
Two children try to tackle another child as he looks to score a touchdown. | Pixabay
Atlanta mother Michelle Wright is pushing for legislation designed to prevent the type of heat strokes that claimed the life of her 12-year-old son during football practice in 2016.
The bill, introduced in 2019 by State Rep. William Boddie, calls on all parks and recreation centers to have a portable cooling tub on hand with one large enough to fill with ice and water in case a player of any size collapses or shows signs of heat stroke, a report by FOX 5 Atlanta states.
The measure has remained at the committee level since it was introduced, and Wright made a tearful plea at a hearing March 7 asking a subcommittee to back the bill and push it forward.
"I'm not only asking for him, I’m asking for the other kids that are playing sports out here too," Wright told the committee.
Wright’s son, Johnny Tolbert, collapsed at Welcome All Park in South Fulton County during a recreation league football practice, Fox 5 reported. The family’s attorney said temperatures that day exceeded 92 degrees with 36% humidity.
There has been some opposition to the bill from individuals who claim more than a tub is needed, and stress other issues such as costs, logistics, training and sanitation, according to Fox 5.
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