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08/12 10:39 CDT High school football player in Arkansas practices with a
venomous snake in his helmet
High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his
helmet
MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) --- A high school football player in Arkansas had every
right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during
practice.
The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following
warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection.
A slithering 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.
The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that animal control officers
had to submerge the helmet in water and forced the snake out, grabbing it with
tongs. Animal services technicians identified the snake as a deadly
cottonmouth. It was released in a wooded area.
Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.
Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly
an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten.
"It was unreal," Davis said. "You had to kind of be there and take pictures to
say this was real."
The player grabbed a different helmet and continued practice. But the situation
caused the head coach to reiterate to his team that players should examine
their equipment carefully before using it, checking for insects --- or maybe
something larger and more dangerous.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
