Venomous Snake Hides Inside Helmet — While Player Wears It
High School Football Player Practices for an Hour with Venomous Snake in Helmet
What Happened? A Wild Story from Arkansas
Imagine getting ready for football practice. You grab your helmet, put it on, and start running drills. But something feels… weird. Like something is moving inside your helmet.
That’s exactly what happened to a high school football player in Maumelle, Arkansas last Thursday. He practiced for at least an hour with a venomous snake hiding inside his helmet!
Location: Maumelle High School, Arkansas
When: Thursday during football practice
How long: At least 1 hour with the snake inside
The intruder: A 2-foot cottonmouth (water moccasin)
The Surprise Discovery
It Started as a Funny Feeling
The student-athlete put on his helmet and felt something odd right away. But like many tough football players, he kept practicing anyway. He probably thought it was just the padding shifting or a weird fit.
The Coach Check
Eventually, the feeling got strange enough that he took the helmet to a coach. When the coach looked inside—surprise! A snake’s head was peeking out from behind the helmet padding.
Animal Services to the Rescue
The coaches called Chris Davis, Maumelle’s director of animal services. When he arrived, everyone thought it might be a copperhead (another common venomous snake in the area). But it turned out to be something else entirely.
What Kind of Snake Was It?
Meet the Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
The snake was a 2-foot cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin. Here’s what you should know:
- Semiaquatic — they live both in water and on land
- Venomous — their bite can be dangerous
- Top 3 in Arkansas — one of the most commonly encountered venomous snakes in the state
- Not usually aggressive — they only bite when threatened or cornered
Important Point
Cottonmouths have a white-colored mouth (that’s where the name comes from), which they show as a warning when scared. But they’d rather swim away or hide than attack a human.
How Did the Snake Get In There?
Looking for a Cozy Digesting Spot
Here’s the funny part: the snake wasn’t trying to attack anyone. It had just eaten a big meal a couple days before.
Animal services officers noticed the snake was "big and fat" — a sure sign it had recently eaten. Snakes need dark, quiet, safe places to digest their food. A football helmet lying on the ground looked like the perfect hideout!
Snakes Are Escape Artists
Chris Davis explained it perfectly:
"That’s why we have weather stripping on our doors. The smallest spots, they can slither in if they would like to."
A helmet might seem too small, but snakes are experts at squeezing into tight spaces.
How They Got the Snake Out
Step-by-Step Rescue
Since they didn’t have the right tools on the field, here’s what happened:
- Animal services took the helmet (with snake inside) back to their shelter
- They flooded the helmet with water to flush the snake out
- The snake emerged — wet but unharmed
- Officials identified it as a cottonmouth in "early adulthood"
- The snake was safely relocated away from the school
The Player’s Reaction: Total Pro Move
Back in the Game
Here’s the most amazing part: the player wasn’t rattled for long.
Once the snake situation was handled, he simply:
- Asked for a different helmet
- Returned to practice immediately
- Got his "head back in the game" — this time without a visitor
Talk about mental toughness!
Important Safety Lessons
Key Takeaways for Everyone
- Check your gear before putting it on — especially if it’s been sitting on the ground
- Don’t panic if you find a snake — most want to avoid you
- Call professionals (animal services) — don’t try to handle venomous snakes yourself
- Snakes seek shelter — keep doors closed, seal gaps, and store equipment off the ground
- Cottonmouths aren’t aggressive — they bite only when threatened
Summary
A Maumelle High School football player practiced for over an hour with a 2-foot cottonmouth snake hiding in his helmet. The snake had crawled in to digest a recent meal. Coaches discovered it when the player complained of a weird feeling. Animal services flooded the helmet to safely remove the snake. The player was unharmed, got a new helmet, and finished practice like a champ. The incident reminds us to check our gear and call experts for wildlife encounters.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Could the snake have bitten the player?
Yes, it was possible. Cottonmouths are venomous. But they’re not aggressive — they only bite in self-defense. Since the snake was busy digesting and hiding, it likely just wanted to be left alone.
Why didn’t the player feel the snake moving more?
The snake was hiding behind the padding and likely staying very still while digesting. Snakes conserve energy after eating. The player only felt "something odd" — not distinct movement.
Are cottonmouths common in Arkansas?
Yes! They’re in the top three most commonly encountered venomous snakes in Arkansas. They love water areas but venture onto land too — especially near schools, homes, and fields.
What should I do if I find a snake in my gear?
Don’t touch it! Back away slowly. Call animal control or a wildlife professional. They have the tools and training to remove it safely.
Was the snake hurt during removal?
No. Animal services used water to gently flush it out. The snake emerged unharmed and was relocated to a safe habitat away from people.
Stay safe, check your helmets, and remember — even snakes need a quiet place to digest their lunch!