A Maumelle High School football player made a startling discovery last week when a venomous cottonmouth snake was found inside his helmet during practice.
According to school officials, the player noticed unusual movement inside his helmet following team warmups. Concerned, he turned the helmet over to an assistant coach for inspection. Behind the padding, a 2-foot-long cottonmouth, also known as a water moccasin, was found.
Coaches immediately contacted local authorities for assistance. Maumelle police officers poured water into the helmet to coax the snake out, as it was reluctant to move. Once freed, the snake was placed in a bag and handed over to local animal services technicians, who identified it as a cottonmouth—one of the most venomous snakes in Arkansas—and safely relocated it to a wooded area far from the school.
Chris Davis, director of animal services, noted how fortunate the player was. Having worn the helmet for nearly an hour, the student could have been bitten had the snake moved differently. "It was unreal," Davis stated. "You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real."
After the incident, the player chose a new helmet and continued to practice without further issues. The team’s head coach reportedly used the situation as a teaching moment, advising all players to thoroughly inspect their equipment before use—not just for insects, but for any unexpected dangers.
Cottonmouths rank as the second-most-venomous snakes in the state. These pit vipers are commonly found near water across Arkansas, and their presence is a reminder of the precautions needed in outdoor activities during warmer months.