VSF - Jerel Hudson

Jerel did not have any symptoms of heart problems before he passed away. He had his sports physical in May, 2004 which he passed without any problems. This abnormal heart condition never been diagnosed. On September 7, 2004, Jerel played basketball as part of workouts with his teammates. After the practice, Jerel and a few of his friends went next door to the Community Center. They were all laughing and joking around. Jerel laughed and then just fell over in between the bleachers. His friends thought for a moment that Jerel laughed so hard that he fell over. They picked him up and then realized it was something serious. Within minutes my baby Jerel was gone. After the paramedics arrived they tried for about an hour to revive Jerel, but with no success. Since, that tragic day the school has extended their sympathy with love offerings, such as, money, dedicated the first football game in his honor which mysteriously they only could score 10 points which was my son’s basketball number, batman buttons, t-shirts about Jerel, parking space painted with a batman logo, school will install a batman phone, will retire his basketball jersey on Dec. 3, 2004, posters, and so many other things. At the grave site on September 11, 2004, the clouds formed themselves in the shape of a 10 and the students there were able to take a picture of it. I had a dream about the same thing before I knew this. Mysteriously enough my son, Jerel, was born the same time of day that he passed away. I knew then that he was an Angel here on earth. I have many other after death stories about him that I could share to let you know how special my son was. I have included pictures of him, one of which is his senior picture that he only took days before his death. Just two days before, Jerel had said to his friends on September 5th, while walking pass a cemetery “Man if I die, I want to buried with a basketball in my grave”. Jerel got his wish.

I agree that there is a growing problem with our athletes dying of sudden deaths because the proper examination wasn’t given. I will do whatever it takes to make sure this is recognized and pursued. I am thankful to have found your website and I want to thank you so very much for caring. Feel free to contact me at (919) 303-0653, (919) 681-3239 (work, Duke Medical Center), 919-649-0218 9 cell or email address cthomas170@yahoo.com

Thanks again,
Connie Thomas

To Whom It May Concern:

My loving son, Byron “Jerel” Hudson a.k.a Batman, 17 years old healthy athlete suddenly died of HCM on September 7, 2004. Jerel was a basketball player for his high school team, Middle Creek High, of Apex, North Carolina. You see Jerel was the happiest, carefree human being that anyone could be. All of his classmates, close friends and relatives agree that you could not find another person so happy, so unselfish, so loveable and always tried to make others see the positive side of things. To tell you a little about my Angel, Jerel, he had many talents and goals. Jerel was an honor roll student, he created his own music on keyboard and wrote his own lyrics which now he has them on CD, he loved to draw, he was an excellent basketball player which his goal was to play for Roy Williams of UNC tarheels next year, and wrote poetry to name a few.