The Associated Press

BEDFORD, Ohio – A high school football player for Cleveland Central Catholic broke his neck in a game Friday night and died, his principal said.

Saturday, October 14, 2000

BEDFORD, Ohio – A high school football player for Cleveland Central Catholic broke his neck in a game Friday night and died, his principal said.

Janice Roccosalva said Marcus Steele, a 10th grader, was making a tackle when he was injured in the third quarter. She said a doctor told her he broke his neck and died almost instantly.

”There were people there trying to find a way to revive him,” Roccosalva said early Saturday. ”He was the most delightful young man, with the most wonderful smile and a great personality. He was a good student who was involved in football and basketball. He was a good player.”

Bedford Fire Department Lt. Terrence Salvi said that an ambulance from the Cleveland suburb responded to Bedford St. Peter Chanel High School, where Cleveland Central Catholic was playing Garfield Heights Trinity.

Cleveland television station WOIO reported Friday night that efforts were made on the field to revive Steele using defibrillators, and a medical emergency helicopter from MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland landed on the football field. The game was suspended. Later, a priest told people who went to pray at a church that the boy had died.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported that Steele made the initial hit on Trinity’s fullback on a play at Ripp Field, where Central Catholic plays its home games. Other players helped finish the play. When the pile was cleared, Steele – a linebacker on defense and a running back on offense – lay motionless on the ground.

As Steele was taken to the hospital, players from both teams gathered at an end zone and prayed for him.

There also was an impromptu prayer vigil at St. Stanislaus Church in Cleveland.

”Both teams were just doing their jobs,” Trinity Head Coach Jim Basha said. ”I’m just shocked. I’m so numb. Of course in 27 years of coaching, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Central Catholic was trailing Trinity 13-8 before the game was called off.

John Kall, an assistant coach for Trinity, said the play ”was just like any ordinary football play. Marcus was trying to make a tackle.”