Franklin High School mourns 16-year-old star football player after medical emergency

BALTIMORE – Students and staff at Franklin High School are mourning the sudden loss of star football player Leslie Noble. The 16-year-old died during the first training of the season in Reisterstown after suffering a medical emergency on Wednesday.

“I saw a lot of fire trucks and ambulances and all I knew was they said a kid collapsed on the field,” said Sharon Johnson, a Franklin High School staff member.

This loss is devastating for the school and the entire community.

Leslie was an impressive athlete. He started as a freshman on the varsity team. But he was also admirable off the field.

The Baltimore County Fire Department received a call at 9:18 a.m. regarding a student experiencing a medical emergency on the football field.

When they arrived, they found the 16-year-old in critical condition and resuscitation attempts were made.

Emergency responders continued to attempt to resuscitate Noble while transporting him to a nearby hospital.

His death was later confirmed in hospital.

“I didn't even know it was Leslie until later when the principal came by and everyone was all upset and shaken up and crying and everything,” Johnson said.

Later that same day, Principal Kieran J. O'Connell delivered the news to the school community: “It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of a student at Franklin High School. The student experienced a medical emergency this morning and was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. We are devastated by this news.”

On Thursday, the Baltimore County Public Schools Traumatic Loss Team came to the school to provide support and counseling to students and staff, such as Sharon Johnson, a building services worker in Franklin.

“They're just very sad about it. Yes, the coaches and the principal and everyone who knew him,” Johnson said.

Johnson says she greeted Noble every day at school. He was known for his friendly and outgoing personality, both on and off the football field.

“He was very well behaved. He was a sweet, sweet boy who will be truly missed,” she said.

Franklin High School has an athlete emergency plan in place that shows the nearest automated external defibrillator (or AED), which was located in the press box on the field.

According to the Maryland Office of the Medical Examiner, Noble's cause of death was still undetermined Friday afternoon.