Cottonmouth snake found inside high school football helmet during practice

A Maumelle High School football player in Arkansas found a venomous cottonmouth snake concealed under the padding of his helmet after practicing for about an hour on Thursday. The athlete noticed unusual movement in the headgear and brought the helmet to the school's athletic department for inspection.

Athletic director Kirk Horton said staff were stunned by the discovery. > "It really was just shock and disbelief. I've got a better shot at winning the lottery than seeing this in my ten years," he told a local NBC affiliate.

Maumelle Animal Services responded, retrieving the snake and relocating it to a nearby river. Animal Services director Chris Davis explained that the initial report described the reptile as a copperhead, but officers identified it as a cottonmouth on site.

The shelter posted a safety reminder on social media, urging athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to check helmets, shoes, gloves and other gear before use to avoid similar encounters. The cottonmouth, the second most venomous snake in Arkansas, typically seeks dark, enclosed spaces.