Venomous Helmet Snake
Arkansas High School Player Wore Helmet With Venomous Snake for an Hour
A high school football player in Maumelle, Arkansas practiced for nearly an hour with a venomous cottonmouth snake hidden inside his helmet — and never got bitten. The student felt something moving inside his headgear during practice at Maumelle High School and brought it to an assistant coach, according to KSHB.
When coaches looked inside the helmet, they found a 2-foot cottonmouth tucked behind the padding. The snake was so reluctant to leave that it had to be forced out, KTNV reported.
A Deadly Snake Hiding Behind the Padding
Animal services technicians responded to the scene and confirmed the snake was a cottonmouth — also known as a water moccasin. Cottonmouths are among the most venomous snakes in North America. A bite can cause severe tissue damage and, in rare cases, death. Technicians removed the snake safely and released it in a wooded area near the school, according to WKBW.
The 2-foot snake had coiled itself so tightly inside the helmet that it refused to move when first discovered. Coaches and staff had to work to get it out. The player was unharmed throughout the entire ordeal, Turn To 23 reported.
Player Wore the Helmet for Almost an Hour
The student had been wearing the helmet for close to a full hour of practice before noticing anything was wrong. He only realized something was off when he felt unusual movement inside the headgear. At that point, he calmly brought it to an assistant coach rather than removing it on his own, according to KGUN9.
The fact that the snake never bit the player despite being worn on his head for so long stunned those at the scene. A cottonmouth bite to the head or face would have been a serious medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Head Coach Tells Players to Check Their Gear
After the incident, the head coach used it as a teachable moment. He instructed the entire team to carefully check their equipment before putting it on, according to KXLF. The school is located near wooded areas where snakes like cottonmouths are common, especially during warmer months.
Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic and often found near water, tall grass, and tree cover — all common features near outdoor athletic facilities in Arkansas. Coaches advised players to shake out helmets and pads and inspect equipment that has been left on the ground or in storage.
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