Thomas Bender / USA TODAY NETWORK / Michael Skolosh / Special to the Alliance Review / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A collage shows a large cottonmouth snake swimming in the water alongside a high school football helmet
A football player at Maumelle High School in Arkansas is lucky to be okay today after spending the majority of a recent practice with a 2-foot-long cottonmouth snake coiled inside his helmet.
Local news station KARK reports that it wasn’t until midway through the practice, when players split off into position groups, that he realized something wasn’t quite right with his helmet.
When coaches took a look inside to try to find the problem, they were met with a terrifying realization that could have led to a far more dangerous situation.
The coaches discovered a nearly 2-foot-long cottonmouth snake in between the padding and shell of the helmet, staring directly back at them. They secured the helmet in a nearby bag and called animal control.
Update: They had to place the helmet in a bucket of water to get the snake out 😳 pic.twitter.com/0YQr0K3NcJ https://t.co/IpPZk3XAvT
— Run The Slant (@RunTheSlant) August 11, 2026
High School Football Player Lucky To Have Not Been Bitten By Cottonmouth Snake
“It really was just shock and disbelief,” Athletic Director Kirk Horton said of the situation. “I’ve got a better shot at winning the lottery than seeing this in my ten years.”
Wildlife officials say that the student was fortunate not to have been bitten by the snake.
Cottonmouths, often referred to as Water Moccasins for their semi-aquatic lifestyles, typically cause immediate and severe burning pain, rapid swelling, bruising, and puncture marks at the site of their bites.
While systemic reactions are uncommon, they can include nausea, weakness, and changes in heart rate. Severe bite victims may even need to be treated with antivenom, although many bites will heal on their own.
Horton said that after the incident, coaches and athletic staff met with players and reminded them to check their equipment for critters such as bugs, ants, and snakes before putting it on.