Nashville, TN official

[BIG UMP]

Gentlemen,

I don't have a name but I have been informed that a high school official in Nashville, TN died on the field during a scrimmage on Friday. Keep this unnamed officlals' family in your prayers.

Let's all remember that we need to keep players safety on our minds but keep a watch on our fellow officials during these hot August days.

[MJT]

God Bless his family and friends. Let's hope we don't see many more of these posts throughout the year.

[TXMike]

The tragic story. God bless his family and friends.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....68/1006/NEWS01

Williamson County: Football official dies during game


A Brentwood Academy parent and youth football coach died Friday while officiating a pre-season football game, former BA Coach Carlton Flatt said.

Jimmy Kirkland Gerrald, 49, had been acting as a referee during a varsity scrimmage game between Brentwood Academy and Christ Presbyterian Academy. About an hour and a half into the game, he passed out on the sidelines.

Doctors tried to revive Gerrald while fans watched, Flatt said.

Gerrald's official cause of death could not be obtained at press time, but Flatt said it was a case of heat exhaustion that developed into a heart attack.

"It was a shocking thing to see happen," he said. "It was just silent for an hour after the game. You could hear a pin drop."

The high temperature in Nashville was 100 degrees for the fourth day in a row on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Gerrald, of Brentwood, had two children who attended the private school, William and Elizabeth. The former Coca-Cola executive was also married to wife Susan for 18 years.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Brentwood United Methodist Church.