Photo: Getty Images
A Georgia high school football player was found dead just one day before he was set to play in a championship game, per People.
Brandon Smith, a 17-year-old student and football player at Manchester High School, was reported missing on Saturday (December 9).
In a statement, Meriwether County School System Superintendent Robert Griffin and Manchester High School Principal Suzie Neal confirmed he had died ahead of Monday's (December 11) state championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” they said.
"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."
Authorities haven't shared the circumstances of Smith's death.
“The circumstances behind the tragedy are still being investigated and will be shared publicly by local authorities,” school officials said
Smith was a "loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field,” they added. “He will be deeply missed.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is working with the Manchester Police Department on an investigation into the incident.
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