13-year-old N.C. middle school student, injured in football game, dies later at hospital

A 13-year-old boy who was injured in a football game died later at a hospital, officials said Thursday.

Will McLeod, 13, was an eighth-grader at North Lincoln Middle School. He was hurt Wednesday night during a game against West Lincoln Middle School, said district spokeswoman Belinda Branson.

Branson said the injury occurred on a "typical football play," but she did not have any other details. The boy was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Lincoln, then transferred to the medical center's branch in Charlotte.

The district has counselors and ministers on hand to help students, Branson said. Rhonda Hager, principal at the North Lincoln school, described Will as "an excellent student and a joy to be around."