The Division II Panthers, who did not play games in the fall of 2020 or the spring of 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled to open their season Sept. 4 at Hampton.
J.B. Arnold coached Wilburn at Jefferson County High School, where he was a member of the varsity team his final two years. Wilburn also was a member of The Augusta Chronicle’s all-area second team this past season.
Wilburn improved immensely during his time at Jefferson County, and at the point of his graduation, he was one of the better defensive linesmen that Arnold ever had, the coach said. Arnold is entering his 21st season as the head coach at Jefferson County.
“Great character kid, worked his tail off,” Arnold said. “Never complained. Did whatever we asked him. Didn’t miss a practice.”
Arnold said Wilburn had a physical exam each of his four years at Jefferson County and didn’t disclose any underlying health issues.
According to the Journal of Athletic Training, which reflects the latest research studies pertaining to the athletic training profession, an average of two NCAA football players died each year from 2000 to 2016.
According to research presented by Dr. Barry P. Boden of The Orthopaedic Center in Rockville, Md., at the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine annual meeting in 2019, most nontraumatic deaths among high school and college football players occur in conditioning sessions and not during game play.
