Kansas town mourns teen football player who died during practice: 'An old soul'

Rylan Reece, 16, died during the first day of football practice at tiny Pawnee Heights High School in Rozel, Kansas, as a 911 call was placed at 8:30 p.m. and he died on the field about 30 minutes later. His church funeral on Wednesday drew family, friends and teammates, with hundreds of photos shown. “He was an old soul,” Pastor Ryan Webster said, noting Reece’s love of old cars, songs, and guitar. His father had been a former county undersheriff, and his mother a longtime Pawnee Heights School District volunteer. An autopsy was completed last week, but results may take three months.