Funeral planned for Shoreham-Wading River High School football player who died during game

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Funeral and wake arrangements have been made for the high school football player who tragically lost his life during a game on Wednesday night.

Visitation with 16-year-old Tom Cutinella's family will be at Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Wading River on Sunday and Monday.

His funeral will be at the church on Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of students turned out at a vigil on Long Island Thursday for the Shoreham-Wading River High School football player.

On a dreary Thursday evening, they stood in near silence. The football field at Shoreham-Wading River High School is now hallowed ground for hundreds of teenagers who hugged and wept.

"I can't believe the world is that cruel to take lives like that, he had so much going for him you know? And I just like wish I can give him that chance to be able to grow up and live life," said Chelsea Tressler, a friend.

24 hours earlier, life came to a sudden and unimaginable end for 16-year-old Tom Cutinella. The 16-year-old offensive guard was playing with his team against John Glenn High School in Elwood when he collided with an opposing player and went down.

"It was just a freak accident," the superintendent said, "He had an immediate reaction, stood up, then collapsed."

He became the third American high school football player to die since Friday.

The Journal of Pediatrics says 90% of fatal head injuries in sports, happen on high school fields.

But on this field, all anyone could think about was their loss. Adam Tanner graduated last year.

"He was such a good football player that they moved him up for the last game and I got to play side by side with him, and at all times he was just such a great person to be around and everyone loved him," Tanner said.

Friends say Tom was wise beyond his years on the field and in class. He was a brilliant student with the brightest of futures.

"I was in a class last year as a senior he was in tenth grade and he was taking the class with honors that I was in," said Mike Neidhoot, a friend.

"So smart. Unbelievably smart. He helped me with my homework, I'm a senior. I just, he didn't get to live his senior year, he didn't get to get his license he didn't get to do a lot of things that he deserved to. He could have made a difference in the world and it disgusts me that the world can take that away," another friend said.

Among those reacting to the death Thursday was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"When you have these relatively violent sports, boxing, football, etc., there's more and more information that suggests people can get injured not just in a single blow, but the cumulative impact can have serious health damages over time, so I think that's a concern to everyone.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, though it appeared Cutinella suffered a head injury, officials said.

Earlier, the superintendent released a statement saying, "The Shoreham-Wading River School District community is terribly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Tom Cutinella, a high school junior and varsity football player. Tom passed away after colliding with an opponent in Wednesday night's game against Elwood John H. Glenn High School."

"Our school community is truly devastated by this awful news and we all extend our deepest condolences to Tom's family and friends during this difficult time."

"Tom played football for the district since he entered the high school in ninth grade, becoming a member of the varsity team this year. In addition, Tom played lacrosse and was a member of the Natural Helpers program, which focuses on peers helping peers. He excelled academically, had a great sense of humor and was just a great individual overall. He was well-liked among students and staff and he will truly be missed."

"Each student is a valued member of our educational community and a young person's death is always tragic. A sudden loss like this can have a profound effect on the entire school community. Grief counselors will be made available to students and staff for as long as needed as we mourn and cope with the loss of such an amazing life."