Joshua High School student dies after hit in football game

JOSHUA, Texas - Students at Joshua High school held an emotional tribute for a football player Friday night who died after he was hurt during a game.

Family members said Aaron Singleton took an extremely hard hit on the field Thursday night while playing for Joshua High School's junior varsity football team. When he got to the sidelines, he suffered a seizure and was rushed to the hospital.

"You see him walk off the field. And he goes, and he sits on the sidelines on the bench," Veronica Zaborowski recalled seeing. "Then you see one of the trainers had come up and was gesturing for the coach. And he just falls and starts seizing, and that's when they called 911."

"He just got hit real hard. And then after that, he wasn't himself," said teammate Arnold Griffin. "He wasn't feeling right or doing too good."

Aaron's mother said doctors declared him brain dead overnight. The family took their son off life support on Friday afternoon. The family said they were going to donate his organs.

During Friday night's game against Cleburne, football players hoist Aaron's jersey high in memory of Number 33: their teammate and friend.

"Me and Aaron, we played ball with each other since seventh grade," said Elijah Boles. "And when you're on a football team, you're like brothers. So to see him go, to leave and not be able to ever see him again is pretty hard."

At the home game against Cleburne, the Varsity players walked quietly out onto the field instead of charging and held Aaron's jersey as fans on both sides stood and applauded.

Cleburne fans wore 'Joshua Blue' out of respect. Blue ribbons were sold to raise money for the family.

"Aaron's the kind of guy that wanted to do everything he could and wouldn't take no for an answer," recalled Aaron's mother, Cassandra. "He was always smiling. He was fun. Full of laughter. Always helpful. Always sweet."

The Joshua Independent School District had counselors available at the school for students and staff who need emotional support.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time," JISD said in a statement.

In addition to playing safety on the JV football team, Singleton was also in band, choir and baseball and track teams.

The exact cause of Aaron's death is still under investigation.