Counselors speak with students after Creekside player's death

SOUTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Students can meet with grief counselors Monday morning as they remember a high school football player who died after getting injured on the field.

De'Antre Turman broke his neck while making a tackle during a scrimmage game Friday night.

His school, Creekside high in Fairburn, was playing Banneker High School.

Channel 2's Sophia Choi went to Creekside Monday morning.

Friends told Channel 2 Action News that D'Antre Turman was not only popular at Creekside, where he was a junior. But friends said he was loved throughout south Fulton where he was known by his nickname, Tre Tre.

"That's what he died doing, playing football. The only thing he loved to do," one friend said.

Another friend said he could always depend on Turman.

"That was my big brother. He was my role model. He kept my head up at bad times," the teen said.

Friends who grew up with Turman gathered where they used to play as kids at Ben Hill Park in south Fulton County.

They held up his old No. 4 jersey from little league football on Sunday night and listened as his former coach gave this message:

"Whenever you feel weak, you need some inspiration, think about No. 4. Think about your brother," the coach said.

Tarsha Keller became Turman's guardian, after his mom died at age four. She met with his fellow teammates at Creekside on Sunday afternoon to encourage them to realize the dream her son won't get to live out.

"Take him to school with you. He can't go but he will be there in spirit, and you take him with you and everything you do, you do it for him," Keller said.

Friends said Turman always dreamed of playing big-time college football, and he was on his way with recruiters already calling before he died.

WSBTV