“Talk to your parents”: Hamilton High School football player Khadyn Perkins dies by suicide as coach Elijah Asante shares heartfelt message | International Sports News
The Hamilton High School community is mourning the loss of former football player Khadyn Perkins after the 19-year-old died by suicide on July 21 in San Pedro, California. Days after the tragedy, head coach Elijah Asante shared an emotional message asking young people to reach out when life feels overwhelming. He reminded his players that their lives matter far more than any game and that they never have to face difficult moments alone. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Perkins’ death a suicide caused by traumatic injuries, with probable drowning listed as a contributing factor.
Hamilton High School football community grieves as coach Elijah Asante pays tribute to Khadyn Perkins
Khadyn Perkins was a wide receiver and cornerback for Alexander Hamilton High School’s varsity football team in Los Angeles. He graduated in 2025 and proudly wore jersey No. 16 while playing in the CIF Los Angeles City Section Western League.According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Perkins died after jumping from a cliff near Sunken City in San Pedro on July 21. His death was officially ruled a suicide. The report listed traumatic injuries as the cause of death, while probable drowning was named as a contributing factor. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the area around 6:24 p.m. after receiving reports of a person in the water. Firefighters later found Perkins at the bottom of a cliff above the ocean near 500 West Paseo Del Mar. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Perkins’ death deeply affected teammates, coaches and everyone connected to Hamilton High School. Coach Elijah Asante, who returned from retirement in 2024 to rebuild the school’s football program, chose to speak directly to young athletes instead of focusing only on the loss.
Elijah Asante tells young athletes they are more important than football
Following Perkins’ death, Elijah Asante shared a heartfelt message on social media, encouraging students to ask for help instead of struggling by themselves.“When life gets heavy, don’t carry it alone. Talk to your parents, talk to your coaches, talk to your teachers, talk to your teammates. There is strength and courage in asking for help. You are more important than football. You are more important than your sport. You are more important than any game, any score, or any expectation placed on you.”He also reminded young people that painful moments do not last forever.“Your future is greater than your current pain. You won’t even remember some of the things you struggle with now in the future. There are people who love you, believe in you, and will fight for you, even on the days when you don’t feel like fighting for yourself.”Asante’s words quickly became the focus of the conversation after Perkins’ death because they spoke about something much bigger than sports. His message urged students to lean on family, friends, teachers and coaches whenever life feels too difficult to handle alone.For many in the Hamilton High School community, the loss of Khadyn Perkins has become a painful reminder that mental health deserves the same attention as success on the field.
