{
  "id": 605455,
  "title": "High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his helmet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/high-school-football-player-in-arkansas-practices-with-a-venomous-605455",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T21:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/venomous-snake-helmet-b4340a60e61757f937eb370b11b80098"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Maumelle, Arkansas, a high school football player experienced an unusual incident during practice, discovering a venomous snake inside his helmet. Following warmups, the player noticed unusual movement within his headgear and brought the helmet to an assistant coach for inspection. Upon discovering a 2-foot cottonmouth snake nestled behind the padding, police officers had to carefully remove the snake using water and a bag. Animal services technicians identified the snake as a cottonmouth, one of the second-most venomous snakes in Arkansas, and transported it to a remote wooded area. The player wore the helmet for nearly an hour before switching to a different one and continuing practice. The head coach emphasized the importance of players checking their equipment for any potential hazards, such as insects or larger dangers, before use.",
  "summary": "MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) — A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Luv FM High School Debate: T.I AMASS advances as IBASS makes impressive debut",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/luv-fm-high-school-debate-t-i-amass-advances-as-ibass-makes",
        "published": "2026-08-11T19:44:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his helmet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/high-school-football-player-in-arkansas-practices-with-a-venomous",
        "published": "2026-08-11T21:10:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}