Long Island high school football player who died after hit laid to rest

WADING RIVER (WABC) -- Family, friends and schoolmates gathered Tuesday to bid a final farewell to a high school football player who tragically lost his life during a game last week.

Funeral services were held for 16-year-old Tom Cutinella at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Wading River.

On Sunday and Monday, thousands flocked to the church in Suffolk County to remember Cutinella, a Shoreham-Wading River High School junior.

He died after an on-field collision during Wednesday night's game against John Glenn High School.

Kyle Reese played youth football with Tom, and they first met at the age of 5.

"He was just one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and just a terrible thing to see him go," Reese said. "I can't believe he's gone."

On a dreary Thursday evening, they stood in near silence at a memorial on the football field, which 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," friend Chelsea Tressler said. "He had so much going for him, you know? And I wish I can give him that chance to be able to grow up and live life."

The offensive guard was playing with his team 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 within a week.

The Journal of Pediatrics says 90 percent 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," Tanner said. "And at all times, he was just such a great person to be around, and everyone loved him."

Friends said Tom was wise beyond his years on the field and in class.

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

"So smart, unbelievably smart," another friend added. "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."

Among those reacting to the death was New York Governor 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," he said. "So I think that's a concern to everyone."

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

The superintendent released the following statement: "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."

The #54 Tom Cutinella Scholarship Fund has also been created. CLICK HERE For more information or to donate