{
  "id": 686450,
  "title": "Player finds venomous cottonmouth in helmet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/player-finds-venomous-cottonmouth-in-helmet",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T17:14:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/arkansas-high-school-football-player-finds-venomous-cottonmouth-inside-helmet-snake-known-for-its-deadly-bite-had-been-hiding-behind-padding/articleshow/133189196.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Arkansas high school football player discovered a venomous cottonmouth snake hidden inside his helmet during a routine practice. The student had been wearing the headgear for nearly an hour before noticing movement inside the helmet. Upon closer inspection, the assistant coach found the roughly 2-foot-long cottonmouth snake tucked behind the padding. The snake, likely attracted to the helmet's dark, enclosed space, was discovered by Maumelle animal services director Chris Davis. It was fortunate for the player that the snake did not bite him, and officials had to use water to encourage the reptile to leave the helmet. The cottonmouth was then safely removed and released in a wooded area away from the school. The incident prompted the head coach to remind the team to always inspect their equipment before use.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}