GA Teen Football Player Dies Day Before State Championship

MERIWETHER COUNTY — A Manchester High football player died of an unknown cause Sunday, a day before he intended to play in the state high-school football championship in Atlanta, according to the Meriwether County School System and multiple news outlets.

Meriwether County Schools announced the death of Brandon Smith in a letter to families Monday. USA Today reported Smith was 17-years-old and played defensive lineman for Manchester's Blue Devils.

"Manchester High School’s celebration of playing for the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship has unfortunately turned into something none of us could have fathomed," school officials said in the letter.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Smith was reported missing Saturday.

The school system said Smith's death is being investigated, and authorities will share the circumstances surrounding his death.

"We continue to pray for Brandon’s family, friends, teammates and classmates. ... Brandon was a loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field. He will be deeply missed," school officials said in the letter.

The Blue Devils shared a graphic of Smith, No. 52, on social media with the statement, "ITS GAME DAY LETS GOOOOOOOOO. THIS ONE FOR YOU BSMITH. We Love You Man."

School officials said mental health support was provided early Monday.

USA Today reported the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is overseeing the probe into Smith's death.

Manchester is scheduled to play Bowdon High at 7 p.m. Monday in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, both the AJC and USA Today reported.