- The player was identified as 17-year-old Brandon Smith
- A cause of death has not yet been confirmed
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A high school football player was found dead at the Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium a day before his team's scheduled state championship game.
The player was named Manchester High School sophomore Brandon Smith by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, citing a letter from Meriwether Schools.
“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” said the letter, released by Meriwether Principal Robert Griffin and Manchester Principal Suze Neal .
“Manchester High School’s celebration of playing for the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship unfortunately turned into something none of us could have imagined.”
Smith was reported missing on Saturday.
Brandon Smith (pictured) died just hours before his scheduled deployment to Atlanta
Smith and his Manchester High football teammates had reached the state championship
Smith (right) is seen lifting weights in an undated photo. The teenager was pronounced dead.
Smith was reported missing on Saturday and was found dead on Sunday, according to reports
Smith was scheduled to play with his team in the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship
He was 17 years old.
His cause of death has not been confirmed.
WRBL-TV reported that officers were investigating a crime scene about a half-mile from the school.
Manchester High will face Bowdon in the Class A Division II final on Monday night.
According to the AJC, this is the school's first championship game since 1997.