Dana Payne, 15, dies after being hit during football practice in Tennessee

MILLINGTON, TN - A Millington High School football player died Tuesday during football practice.

Tuesday afternoon 15-year-old Dana Payne was injured on the football field after getting hit. Investigators say from the time he was injured to the time he was pronounced dead it was just a matter of minutes.

At 5:11 p.m. he complained of chest pains. At 5:13 he was unresponsive and was taken to the hospital. By the time he arrived at 5:48 p.m. he had passed away.

Tuesday evening, friends of the teenager poured into the hospital. They say their friend died doing what he loved to do.

"He played football all the time. He loved playing," said Aliyah Threlkeld.

Parents of other football players consoled the teen's mother offering their prayers to the family.

"My heart just goes out to the mom being a mom," said one mother whose son rode to football practice with Dana everyday.

Dana's friends say they'll remember him as an outgoing guy who loved to make people smile.

"He kept everybody laughing. He kept everybody happy," Threlkeld said.

But Tuesday night the hospital filled with sadness as family and friends grieved a life that was cut far too short.

"Saw a lot of heartbroken kids players friends that were in there with him," Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Aitken said. "It's heartbreaking."

Superintendent Aitken said that grief counselors will be on hand Wednesday at school for the kids, staff, and coaches.

Millington Fire Chief Gary Graves said the student, 15-year-old Dana Payne, died on the way to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital.