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BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (CBS) ― A Chicago high school community is devastated this weekend, after Curie High School football player Quaashi Chandler collapsed on the field and died during a game in Bolingbrook.

As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, published reports say Chandler collapsed on the sideline due to an asthma attack with just 41 seconds remaining in the game.

Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital spokeswoman Julie Busch confirmed that Chandler, a senior at Curie, at 4959 S. Archer Ave. in Chicago, died on Friday night after collapsing during a varsity football game.

The Will County Coroner's office on Saturday afternoon said preliminary autopsy results indicate that Chandler died from mucus blocking the airways in his lungs.

On Facebook, Chandler's friends were talking about the impact he had on their lives.

Among them was Fabian Slaton, who wrote in part: "You will be truly missed, rest now and know that your Father in Heaven will continue to take care of your Mother and Brother and the rest of your family."

During the Friday game at Bolingbrook High School, play stopped with 41.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when the 5-foot-8-inch, 175-pound running back/defensive back fell to the sideline. Representatives of both teams gathered near the player.

Emergency services arrived and administered CPR, then took him to the southwest suburban hospital while players lined up for the postgame walk-through.

A woman near the ambulance, who was being consoled by another woman, said "This is my baby. You cannot tell me that I cannot ride with him."

Chandler, who suffered from asthma, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Players, coaches and administrators were in tears on the field and would not immediately comment on the situation, including Bolingbrook athletic director Alec Anderson.

"They used everything in their (medical) bin to help the kid out," said Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow via cell phone, unsure of Chandler's fate at the time.

At the hospital, a teary-eyed Tyson LeBlanc told The Naperville Sun about "one of our toughest players."

"There's not a lot in the coaching manual or the coaching clinics that prepare you for something like this," said LeBlanc, Curie's head coach. "To be honest, I don't know what you can say to 16- to 17-year-old kids who just lost their best friend. This is not something I would wish on my worst enemy."

Curie supporters assembled in the hospital's chapel after the pronouncement. Players and coaches left at 12:35 a.m. Only immediate family remained.

Bolingbrook won the shortened game 40-6.

Chandler's family declined to comment to CBS 2 on Saturday.

But a friend, Daphne Hamb Snead, posted an encouraging message on Facebook to Chandler;s family, saying in part: "Hold on to those beautiful memories o(f) Quaashi and trust that God is taking care of him."

This is not the first time that an asthma attack on a football field has proved deadly in the Chicago area. Back on Aug. 3, 2001, Northwestern Wildcats football player Rashidi Wheeler, 22, collapsed and died after participating in a conditioning drill. His family later settled with Northwestern for $16 million.

The Bolingbrook High School National Honor Society is collecting money throughout the week next week to honor Chandler's memory. Donations will be split between Chandler's family and the Asthma research Foundation.

Anyone who wants to donate should send their gifts to:
Bolingbrook High School National Honor Scoiety
Attn. Andrea Heil
365 Raider Way
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Checks should be made out to the Bolingbrook High School National Honor Society, and donors' names should be included.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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