Venomous snake found inside high school football player's helmet

An Arkansas high school football player had a terrifying encounter during practice when he found a venomous cottonmouth snake coiled inside his helmet.

The student at Maumelle High School felt an unusual sensation inside his headgear after warmups last week. He brought his helmet to an assistant coach, who discovered the nearly two-foot-long pit viper hidden within the padding.

Authorities were called to the scene. Police officers had to pour water into the helmet to encourage the snake to exit, allowing it to be captured in a bag. Animal services technicians arrived shortly after, identified the snake as a cottonmouth, and safely relocated it to a wooded area far from the school.

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It was unreal. You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real.

Chris Davis, director of animal services, noted the player's good fortune, stating he was "fortunate he wasn't bitten" after wearing the helmet for nearly an hour. The player, shaken but unharmed, continued practice with a different helmet.

The incident prompted the head coach to remind his team to thoroughly inspect all their equipment before use, warning them to check for insects or potentially larger, more dangerous creatures. The Maumelle Animal Shelter later posted on Facebook, emphasizing that "snakes and other critters can find their way into dark, enclosed spaces, especially helmets, shoes, bags, boxes, and other items that are left outside or sitting undisturbed." They advised a quick check of gear before putting it on to prevent "a very scary encounter, or worse."

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It only takes a few seconds and could prevent a very scary encounter, or worse.