Philadelphia student collapses, dies on ECCC campus

Instead of running out onto the field Friday night, the Philadelphia High School football team walked arm in arm in memory of former teammate Jalen “Chunky” Leavey, an East Central student who died early Friday morning on the campus in Decatur.

Leavey was a 2020 Tornado graduate currently attending ECCC and was a member of the Warrior marching band.

While at PHS Leavey was a member of the football team and the band and a “very beloved student and friend to all,” the PHS cheerleader Facebook page said Friday night.

“In memory of Jalen “Chunky” Leavey the cheerleaders are wearing Blue ribbons tonight at the Football game against Raymond,” they said.

“With deep sympathy to family and friends your Tornado family grieves with you.”

Leavey, 19, died returning to campus from ECCC’s football game at Scooba Thursday night, the Newton County Appeal reported.

“This right here hit hard,” Alexis Johnson wrote on Facebook.

She said Leavey was the “sweetest respectful hard working young man I know everyone love Jalen at work we will miss you from the Burger King family. We are praying for your family if y’all need anything please let us know We are here.”

Leavey got off the band bus and collapsed, the Appeal reported.

Leavey was pronounced dead on the campus at 12:22 a.m. and died of natural causes from a previous medical condition, Newton County Deputy Coroner Rebecca Burton told the Appeal.

“Still in shock abt this, he was one of the sweetest person ever,” Shaytrece Desiree posted on Facebook. “He knew how to make your day when you aren’t in the mood.”