14-year-old Cain Lee from Houston dies three weeks after suffering a brain injury during a football game – as his father says, the kind boy even secretly gave away his own clothes to those in need
A Houston teenager died three weeks ago after suffering a devastating brain injury during a football game.
Cain Lee, 14, was injured in a Southwest Football League game on October 11 and spent three weeks in a coma until he died on October 30.
A vigil was held for the young sports fanatic in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, where his loved ones described him as a popular, caring teenager who was “a friend to all.”
His father Cody Lee recalled the Houston Chronicle about the time his son even secretly donated clothes to another student in need.
“I saw a young man wearing a sweater … and I said, ‘He has a sweater like you,'” Lee said.
‘(Cain) said, ‘Well, he didn’t have anything nice, Dad. So I brought clothes from home to give him my clothes so he wouldn’t be embarrassed when he was at school.”
Cain Lee, 14, died on October 30, three weeks after suffering a brain injury on the football field
Lee (right) was in a coma for three weeks after undergoing surgery for his brain injury before tragically succumbing to his injuries
At his funeral on Wednesday, Lee was remembered as a “talented athlete and natural leader” who was known as a friendly and popular teenager
Little information has been released about how Lee suffered the injury on the field, with only information known that he suffered a brain injury that required surgery.
Tributes have been made following his untimely death, with the teenager survived by his parents, an older brother and a twin brother.
One of the speakers at his funeral, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, told the crowd that the Senate would adjourn in his honor on Wednesday as she read a resolution honoring the teen.
“He went on to endear himself to many friends and be recognized by others as a talented athlete and a natural leader,” Buckingham said, reading from the resolution.
“While Cain demonstrated character and compassion far beyond his years, these qualities, combined with his deep commitment to his faith, his family and his country, made him an inspiration to all around him.”
Lee was an eighth-grader at Lutheran South Academy Middle School, and principal Jeremy Brumm read memories from other teachers and coaches of the fun-loving student.
“I have about ten memory cards that say we’re Cain’s best friend,” Brumm said.
“He was truly a friend to all, and a best friend to many. Even the teachers considered him a friend.”
Other students said Cain was always present at school, and one teacher recalled the sports fan proudly showing his classmates photos of the fish he had caught.
As Cain’s (right) loved ones paid tribute to him at a vigil this week, his headmaster said: ‘He was truly a friend to all, and a best friend to many. Even the teachers considered him a friend’
The sports fanatic suffered the horror injury on October 11 while playing in the Southwest Football League
After the horror injury occurred during a Southwest Football League game, a minute’s silence will be held in Lee’s honor during the remaining games of this season in the league.
While many at his funeral commented on his sporting skills, the 14-year-old’s coaches said his personality shone through his physical achievements.
“Never would you hear Cain tell you anything about what he did,” said his baseball coach Darrin Forse.
‘It was always about what someone else did. That was the person he was. It was never about his performance. It was about someone else’s achievements.’
As the teen fought for his life in the hospital, his uncle Troy Carroll said on social media that Cain was “one of the most amazing and wonderful young men I have ever known.”
‘He is like a light that draws everyone to him. He radiates genuine joy to everyone around and leaves an impact on everyone he comes into contact with,” added Carroll.
His uncle Troy Carroll, pictured with Cain on his lap, said the teenager was ‘one of the most amazing and wonderful young men I have ever known’
While many remembered the teenager for his love of sports, tributes said his bright personality shone through his athletic skills
Outdoorsman and hunter Roger Raglin, a hunting influencer and member of the National Outdoor Hall of Fame, said he had met Cain several times and knew him as a popular and friendly kid.
“He just had a way of letting him know that you knew that kid was a special kid and that he was going to do special things in his life,” Raglan said in an interview. video shared on social media.
The Professional Baseball Academy shared a number of images of Cain playing for them over the years, starting from his youth.
“Sometimes we take so many things for granted,” the team said.
“Cain died from injuries sustained while playing a game he loved. This was a selfless kid who cared more about everyone else and how they were doing than how he performed.
‘As I always say, the game is just a game. It’s the players we get to know and love and see become young men that it’s all about.
‘Cain we love you and will honor you every day! Thank you for allowing me and our association to be part of you. You were family RIP my son. I’m going to miss you!’