A River Bluff High football player’s parents are suing Lexington District 1 and other officials.

Lewis Simkins’ parents, Willie and Shonda Simpkins, are not asking for money, only what Greenville attorney Robert Jones said the court decides.

In addition to the school district, defendants include the SC Board of Education, SC High School League and Lexington County.

The school district operates autonomously, said county public information officer Harrison Cahill. “We do not appoint, or pay, their athletic officials.”

District 1 Superintendent, Dr. Greg Little said, “We can’t comment on ongoing litigation but we continue to keep the family of Lewis Simpkins in our thoughts and prayers.”

According to the filing:

• Simkins was a 6’2” 270 pound defensive tackle who hoped to play at Clemson.

• He was a Fellowship of Christian Athletes member who played trumpet in the school concert band.

• He collapsed and died during a full pads practice at River Bluff’s football field August 10, 2016.

The filing maintains that a day after River Bluff lost a scrimmage game to Greenwood August 9, 2016, the team worked out for 2 hours in 95 degree heat.

Lewis Simkins had difficulty during practice, running “gassers” and “up downs” and “ultimately could not get up.”

Simkins was carried to the training room where he became unresponsive and 911 was called.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was tried until an emergency medical team arrived to drive him to Lexington Medical Center.

He was pronounced dead at 8:22 p.m. According to the autopsy, heat and humidity were likely to have contributed to his death.