Gaffney, South Carolina (WSPA) – Tragedy struck Dutch Fork High School on Tuesday when a soccer player died after falling on the field.
One of Dutch Fork’s offensive linemen, 17-year-old Jack Khatib, was in soccer training when he collapsed on the field and died.
They were supposed to play at Gaffney High School on Friday night.
The soccer community in the northern United States was shocked by the news.
The confrontation between rivals Gaffney and Dutch Fork failed.
“I remember telling my wife the first thing I didn’t want to hear was if we were going to play on Friday because someone just died,” said Gaffney athletic director Terence Scriven.
The Indians took their game to Summerville High School on Friday, but they didn’t forget the Dutch fork, especially Khabib.
“Our staff jumped on it and sent flowers, and social media was flooded with condolences, prayers and thoughts,” Scriven said.
During Friday’s game, fans will see a poster with Khabib’s picture as they enter.
Gaffney’s Boost Club has set up a fundraiser for the family, and part of the money earned in the game also goes to the family.
Gaffney philanthropist president Billy Richards said: “It really started as a way to let this community and that family know that while we’re competitive on the pitch, we’re all still parents and we’re all still doing it together.”
Richards says this just shows how much power a community can have when they come together.
“Sports always bring us together, but when something like that happens even outside of our community, Gaffney is a great city to come together to help people, just to get out and show support. Whether it’s money or food or whatever,” Richards said.
To donate to the fund set up by the Gaffney Booster Club, you can send cash or a check to the school district office. There is also a Venmo account set up as GaffneyFootballBoosterClub.
