Parents of Stevens football players demand answers after 16-year-old Jaren “JLaw” Lawson collapsed at practice and died. NISD disputes key allegations.
SAN ANTONIO — Balloons, flowers, candles and photos now line the fence by the Stevens High School football field, forming a growing memorial for 16-year-old Jaren Troy Lawson, known as “JLaw.”
Lawson, a football player, collapsed during practice Tuesday and later died at a hospital. His cause and manner of death has not been released.
As Northside Independent School District continues investigating what happened, two parents of Stevens football players told KENS 5 they are afraid to send their children back to practice and want answers from district leadership before workouts resume.
“We already have to worry about our kids going to school because of school shootings,” one mother said. “Now I have to worry about my kid going to practice and making sure he’s going to come home?”
The parents spoke anonymously, saying they feared retaliation against their children in the program.
KENS 5 also received multiple direct messages from other Stevens parents who echoed the concerns raised by the two mothers interviewed, describing similar experiences and fears about student safety during workouts.
Both mothers said their sons were on the field during fourth-period practice Tuesday when Lawson collapsed. They claim their children told them Lawson tried to communicate that he was not feeling well during the workout.
“He attempted to say that he wasn’t feeling well and then right before he passed out, he attempted to say something there as well but it kind of came out as a mumble,” one mother said.
The parents said their sons described the team participating in a conditioning drill known as “updowns,” where players repeatedly drop to the ground and quickly spring back up, often cycling through push-up and squat-like movements at a fast pace.
“They were physically pushing [JLaw] down and pulling him up, pushing him down and pulling him up,” one parent said.
The mothers told KENS 5 their sons said student trainers were the ones who initially ran to Lawson and recommended calling emergency medical services.
Parents who were interviewed said they agree that football can build discipline and character, but they emphasized that it shouldn’t come at the cost of a child’s life.
Parents said their sons were shaken by what happened, especially since many of the players knew Lawson personally.
One mother said her son had known Lawson since middle school and told her Lawson appeared sick earlier in the day.
“I asked, ‘How did you know he didn’t feel good?’ He was like, ‘Well I have him for first period and he didn’t look good at all,’” she said. “I said, ‘Did the coaches know?’ He said, ‘Yes.’”
That same mother said her son told her Lawson did not have a stable place to live and was staying with teammates.
“I said, ‘Well if he didn’t feel good, how come he didn’t stay home?’ He said, ‘Mom, he doesn’t have a home,’” she said.
Parents also described what they believe is a culture of fear within the football program and the school.
“These boys don’t have the ability to feel sick,” one mother said. “They’re not allowed to feel sick. They’re not allowed to feel down. There’s no empathy or no regard for these boys’ emotional or mental health.”
Another parent said players may be afraid to speak up.
“You don’t second-guess a coach, you don’t ask any questions,” she said. “If the coach asks you to do something, it’s because they have the best intention in their heart.”
Parents said they want accountability and a chance to speak directly with district leadership.
“We want a meeting,” one mother said. “Is it going to be somebody out of Northside that’s going to investigate? What is practice going to look like going forward? Are they going to have mandatory water breaks? Are they going to be logged and documented?”
Northside ISD disputes the allegations. In a statement provided to KENS 5, district officials said preliminary findings show no evidence Lawson told coaching staff he was unable to participate in practice. The district said interviews indicate coaches proactively reminded Lawson he could opt out of the session because they were aware he had been ill the previous day.
The district also said its investigation found no evidence Lawson was denied access to water. Officials said that at the first sign of physical distress, Lawson was immediately attended to by fellow students, coaching staff and athletic trainers who provided medical assistance.
Northside ISD said it remains “deeply saddened” by Lawson’s death and said its primary focus is supporting Lawson’s family, students and staff at Stevens High School.
District officials said they are committed to a “transparent and exhaustive investigation” and asked for patience while details are verified.
KENS 5 also asked the district how many players have been interviewed and whether concerns had been raised in the past about health conditions during workouts. Northside ISD responded that allegations circulating on social media have not been substantiated so far and urged anyone with specific information to come forward.
“If anyone asserts something different, then we urge them to come forward,” the district said. Officials encouraged community members to contact Stevens High School administration or the Northside ISD Police Department with specific information.
Parents said communication from coaches has been limited since Lawson’s death. They said much of the team communication happens through the SportsYou app and claim the only update they have seen from coaches was a GoFundMe link shared by the school’s booster club.
One mother said she attempted to post on the app asking for a parent meeting but claims her messages were deleted.
“Two posts, not just one,” she said. “The second one also got deleted.”
Parents also said counselors and therapy dogs were brought into classrooms Wednesday to support students, and they claim players said the first time they heard directly from coaches after Lawson’s collapse was Thursday.
Football practices have been postponed until further notice, according to parents.
“I asked, ‘How do you feel about going back? Are you ready to go back?’” she said. “He tells me, ‘I’m really scared because what if I’m next?’ That’s the hardest thing for a mom to hear.”
A GoFundMe created by the school’s booster club raised more than $13,000 in one day to support Lawson’s family.
Northside ISD said anyone with information related to Lawson’s death should contact Stevens High School administration at 210-397-6450 or Northside ISD Police at 210-397-5600.