High school football player discovers venomous cottonmouth inside helmet during practice

A Maumelle High School football player in Arkansas discovered a two-foot-long cottonmouth pit viper inside his helmet during a practice warm-up last week. After feeling movement in the headgear, the student handed the helmet to an assistant coach, who found the snake concealed behind padding. Police officers poured water into the helmet to coax the reluctant snake out, then placed it in a bag for animal-services technicians. The officials identified the reptile as a cottonmouth, one of the state’s most venomous snakes, and later released it in a wooded area away from the school.

Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he was not bitten. > "It was unreal," Davis said. > "You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real."

The player switched to a different helmet and resumed practice. The head coach reminded the team to inspect all equipment before use, warning that insects or larger animals can sometimes be found inside gear left outdoors. The Maumelle Animal Shelter posted a reminder that snakes and other critters can enter dark, enclosed spaces such as helmets, shoes, bags or boxes, and advised a quick visual check before wearing any outdoor equipment.