17-Year-Old Soccer Player Dies After Practicing In High Temperatures in Southern California: “You Didn’t Deserve This”

According to the LA Times, 17-year-old Shane Thomas, an All-City soccer player at Palisades High, died this past Saturday at a park in Chino, California, while training with his club team for the upcoming season.

Jimmy Nordberg, executive director of FC Golden State, said in an email, “We are truly saddened by his loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was found after practice away from the field, and we are all devastated here at the club.”

Cheyenne, Thomas’ sister, said he left the field at Ayala Park to take some balls to his coach’s car. When he didn’t return back, his teammates started a search. He was found unresponsive. Paramedics were called, and CPR was given; however, his life wasn’t able to be saved. His parents were at the park.

Thomas, who lived in South Los Angeles, was highly driven and passionate about playing soccer. His father, John, never missed out on any of his games at Palisades, his coach Lemus said.

“He was a genuine good, kind, gentle soul and just wanted what was best for people,” his mother, Valerie, said. “He wanted nothing more [than to be] a professional soccer player. He was in the best shape of his life. He had been training throughout the pandemic so he’d be ready.”

Cheyenne wrote the following caption on Sunday on an Instagram post of a picture of Thomas: “Today, God took my soul from me, my best friend. I’m numb inside. You didn’t deserve this, but you passed right after doing what you love, playing the beautiful game. I’ve never met someone so genuine, focused, receptive, responsible, loving. You were perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.”

Thomas is survived by his mother, father, and sister.

Temperatures reached 111 degrees at noon in Chino on Saturday, according to LA Times.

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