MAUMELLE, Ark. — A Maumelle High School football player discovered a venomous snake tucked beneath the padding of his helmet after wearing it for roughly an hour during practice, school and animal control officials said Tuesday.
Student, staff stunned by discovery
The incident occurred last week during the squad's warmups. The player noticed unusual movement inside the helmet, brought it to staff for inspection and team personnel found a roughly two-foot cottonmouth trapped beneath the lining, Maumelle High School Athletic Director Kirk Horton told NBC affiliate KARK.
“It really was just shock and disbelief,” Horton said. “I’ve got a better shot at winning the lottery than seeing this in my ten years.”
Maumelle Animal Services responded to the scene and removed the snake, placing it in a tote bag before relocating it to a nearby river, Animal Services Director Chris Davis said. Officers initially received a report that the snake might be a copperhead, but on arrival they identified it as a cottonmouth, a species known locally as the second-most venomous snake in Arkansas.
School safety and prevention advice
The Maumelle Animal Shelter posted a reminder on Facebook urging people to perform quick checks of outdoor gear before use. The shelter's message said such a check “only takes a few seconds and could prevent a very scary encounter.”
- Inspect helmets and other enclosed gear before putting them on.
- Store equipment off the ground and in secured lockers when not in use.
- If you find a snake, keep distance and call local animal control rather than trying to remove it yourself.
School officials did not report any injuries. The player escaped the encounter without being bitten, and practices have continued under routine safety protocols, Horton said.
Why cottonmouths seek enclosed spaces
Cottonmouths often seek shaded, enclosed or hidden spaces that offer protection from heat and predators. In Arkansas they are more likely to be found near water but will take shelter in many kinds of dark cavities — including, apparently, the padding of a football helmet.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Species | Cottonmouth (identified by Maumelle Animal Services) |
| Estimated length | About 2 feet |
| Disposition | Removed and relocated to a nearby river |
| Injuries reported | None |
Local animal control officers said they have removed snakes from unusual places before — car vents, engine compartments, purses and backpacks — but Davis told KATV that this was his first time fielding a report of one found in a helmet.
“In a helmet? Never,” Davis said, underscoring how rare the incident was while reminding residents to be vigilant about stored equipment.
Community reaction and school response
Players and parents in Maumelle expressed relief that no one was hurt. Athletic staff members have reiterated basic procedures for equipment checks before practices or games and said they will continue to emphasize common-sense precautions with students.
Officials with Maumelle High did not announce any changes to practice schedules or additional formal measures beyond reminding athletes and coaches to inspect gear and store equipment properly. Animal Services said it would continue to respond to wildlife calls and advise the public on safe handling and reporting.
The episode serves as a reminder across Arkansas as outdoor sports resume in warm months: wildlife can sometimes find its way into man-made shelters, and a few moments of caution before suiting up can prevent dangerous encounters.
Cole Beaumont is the state correspondent for WE NEWS.
