Walker Wilbanks, far right, died Monday, Aug. 25, after complications from a loss of sodium in his body. He became ill during a Jackson Prep football game the Friday night before. Here, he is shown with his father, David; brother, Landon; and mother, Sheila.
His family has donated all of his organs, and a young 14 year old teenager received his heart, and is now alive, and is living with one of the kindest hearts, pumping inside that body.
Hundreds of parents and students gathered at Jackson Prep's campus Saturday night to show their support to Patriots football player Walker Wilbanks, who's in critical condition following the Patriots' Week 1 game against Oxford.
The junior defensive tackle suffered a seizure in the emergency room Friday night. He remained listed in critical condition on Saturday, according to Jackson Prep Head of School Jason Walton.
Walton said Wilbanks left the game sometime during the second half and appeared "not to be himself."
Wilbanks' parents rushed him to the Baptist Hospital intensive care unit Friday after he was assessed by the Jackson Prep training staff on the sideline.
According to Walton, Wilbanks then began to cramp and vomit. After the seizure, Wilbanks' brain started to swell and was not getting enough oxygen.
Walton said it is not yet known if Wilbanks' condition was caused by a hit, dehydration or over hydration.
"I have nothing conclusive as far as that's concerned," Walton told The Clarion-Ledger.
An MRI taken Saturday afternoon revealed the swelling in Wilbanks' brain wasn't as severe as originally thought, according to a tweet send out by Wilbanks' brother, Landon.
Wilbanks was moved to University of Mississippi Medical Center Saturday, where he is being treated at the neuroscience intensive care unit.
"I appreciate seeing the massive outpouring of support for Walker and the Wilbanks family last night at the hospital," Walton wrote in his statement.
Jackson Prep held a prayer vigil at the high school Saturday night. Oxford also organized a gathering.
Walton said thousands of supporters gathered in prayer and then assembled at Patriots Field for a candle lighting ceremony.
There was also an outpouring of support on social media throughout the day. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen and Southern Miss coach Todd Monken tweeted, saying their thoughts were with the Wilbanks family.
"The one constant request from the Wilbanks family is that everyone continue to pray for them," Walton said. "...We will hold classes on Monday, and counselors will be available for our students, faculty and staff."
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