PHOENIX — Standing almost 5 foot 11 inches tall, Darryl Blackmon was big for being 13 years old, and he had dreams of playing in the National Football League someday.
But that dream was tragically cut short over the weekend.
“He already knows what college he wants to attend. LSU or Alabama,” his mother Marquita Mays said.
Darryl’s football team, the Jr. Buffs, are from Denver and traveled to Phoenix to play in a tournament. After a big win Saturday, the team wanted to celebrate with a swim in the pool at Embassy Suites near Thomas Road and 24th Street.
“He also indicated he wanted to eat. So, we walked across the street to get him tacos,” Mays explained.
The 10-minute food run turned into a nightmare when Darryl’s parents returned to the hotel.
“It was swamped with firefighters, police and ambulance,” Mays said. “I go in between the crowd, and my baby is on the floor. And they’re doing chest compressions.”
Darryl nearly drowned and was rushed to the hospital. He died overnight on Tuesday, according to his family.
It’s unclear what happened or how long he was under. He was unconscious when they pulled him out. Bystanders began CPR before paramedics took over.
He was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition, but he never recovered.
And to add to the family's nightmare, their car overheated and broke down after making the 13-hour trip from Denver.
Friends from the Jr. Buffs football team are rallying for their teammate with a GoFundMe page to help fund car repairs and lodging for the family.
EN ESPAÑOL: Adolescente de Colorado muere después de haber sido sacado de una alberca en Phoenix, informa la familia
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