For many, climate change has long seemed like a far-off crisis—something playing out in melting glaciers or along coastal cities. But here in Mississippi, I’ve come to understand that climate change is not just global. It’s local. It’s personal.

My perspective shifted when I joined the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship. I began to see climate change not as an abstract concern, but as a daily threat to our health, our children and our communities. That reality is especially stark on our football fields.

Summers here have always been hot. But lately, the heat feels brutal. I drive a 2014 car with a temperamental air conditioner, and my passengers don’t let me forget it:

“It’s too hot to ride in this car—don’t forget we’re in Mississippi!”

“You’ve got to get that A/C fixed—I’ll die in here!”

“Here’s the number of a guy who can fix it. Call him today!”

They’re not wrong. The heat is no longer just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous.

Several children stand in a green space outside, lifting a large colorful parachute in the air
Extreme temperatures in Mississippi can be damaging to children, putting a strain on their bodies. Selika Sweet writes. Photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash

Climate records show that the Gulfport–Biloxi area reached an all-time high of 107°F on Aug. 26, 2023. That summer was officially the hottest on record, with monitoring going back to 1893.

Deadly Consequences on the Field

This heat doesn’t just challenge cars; it strains young bodies, especially when athletes train in full gear under the blazing sun. Between 1992 and 2024, at least 58 football players in the U.S. died from exertional heat stroke, and more than 90% were high-school students. In Mississippi—where football and summer heat are deeply rooted—these risks are dangerously amplified.

But these deaths don’t have to happen—they’re preventable:

  • Phillip “Trey” Laster Jr., 17, a Brandon High School lineman, collapsed during practice in August 2022 when the heat index exceeded 103°F. He vomited and became dizzy but was reportedly told to keep running. His parents’ lawsuit, filed in January 2024, alleges extreme heat and inadequate safeguards—including lack of acclimation, ice baths and medical staff—contributed to his death.
  • Bennie Abram, 20, a University of Mississippi player, collapsed during a 2010 offseason workout and died. The Lafayette County coroner found complications from sickle cell trait, exacerbated by intense physical exertion in heat, were the cause.

Why Sickle Cell Trait Matters

SCT affects millions, particularly African Americans. Intense physical exertion, especially when exposed to extreme heat, can trigger “exertional sickling,” which may lead to organ failure or sudden death.

A man in a yellow and white football uniform prepares to throw the ball to a teammate
Between 1992 and 2024, at least 58 football players in the U.S. died from exertional heat stroke, with over 90% being high school students. Photo by Riley McCullough on Unsplash

In 2010, the NCAA Division I Legislative Council adopted a rule requiring incoming student-athletes to confirm SCT status—either through documentation or a test—and by early 2012, Division II adopted similar requirements, with Division III following in 2013. These policies strengthen safety at the collegiate level, but most high schools, including many in Mississippi, do not require SCT screening, which leaves athletes vulnerable.

Three Low-Cost, Effective Protections

Scholastic sports teams have options that could reduce these dangers.

  1. Screening and Training Adjustments: Coaches should know which athletes have SCT and tailor training accordingly.
  2. Empowered Reporting: Athletes must feel safe pausing or reporting symptoms—without fear or stigma.
  3. Medical Support and Emergency Resources: Every practice and game must include trained personnel and tools—like cold-water immersion tubs and WBGT monitors.

These steps align with the NATA’s 2015 Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illnesses, emphasizing medical staffing, acclimation, hydration, environmental monitoring, and emergency protocols.

Our Responsibility in the Magnolia State

Climate change may seem distant, but in Mississippi, it is immediate and deadly. This isn’t just about coastal flooding—it’s a public health crisis unfolding on our sports fields. We cheer for our youth on Friday nights, but that’s not enough. We need knowledge, policy and compassion.

Let’s treat extreme heat like the hazard it is. Let’s ensure every athlete returns home safely.

And yes, I’ll fix the A/C. In Mississippi, the heat isn’t just weather—it’s a wake-up call to protect our future.

This MFP Voices opinion essay reflects the personal opinion of its author(s). The column does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.

Selika Sweet, M.D., FAAFP, is a board-certified family physician and a 2025 Climate and Health Equity Fellow with the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. A proud Mississippian, Dr. Sweet advocates for health justice and environmental equity across the Deep South. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate change and community health, especially among vulnerable populations. With decades of experience in clinical care, public health, and patient education, she brings a physician’s perspective to issues like extreme heat, air quality, and health disparities in underserved communities.