Zach Brown, a junior offensive lineman at Lake Cormorant High School, is critically ill after an accidental exposure to the highly toxic herbicide paraquat and is on life support in Houston. The family says the exposure did not occur at or near the school or on surrounding farmland and asks the public not to speculate. Paraquat is banned in more than 70 countries; the EPA warns that small amounts can be fatal, that there is no antidote, and that immediate medical attention is required. Brown was moved to Texas Children’s Hospital and is being evaluated for a possible lung transplant while his community raises funds to support his care.
Mississippi High School Football Player Critically Ill After Accidental Paraquat Exposure
Zach Brown.Credit: GoFundMe
Zach Brown, a junior offensive lineman at Lake Cormorant High School in Mississippi, is critically ill after an accidental exposure to the herbicide paraquat, according to local reports and a verified GoFundMe page. Brown was transferred from Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, where he remains on life support and is being evaluated for a potential lung transplant.
How The Family Described The Incident
The family and the organizers of the GoFundMe fundraiser say the contact with paraquat was unintentional. They have not disclosed specific details about how the exposure occurred but emphatically stated it did not happen "at school or near the school" or on "surrounding farmland," and asked the public not to speculate or place blame on local farmers.
"Please be mindful about speculation or placing blame on our local farmers. They had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to Zach," the GoFundMe update said.
Paraquat: Risks And Warnings
Paraquat is highly toxic and is banned in more than 70 countries, though it remains in use in the United States for weed control and crop desiccation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that paraquat "is highly toxic," that "one small sip can be fatal," and that there is no antidote. The agency advises anyone who comes into contact with the chemical to seek medical attention immediately.
Zach BrownCredit: GoFundMe
Dr. Michael Marlin of the Mississippi Poison Control Center described paraquat to WMC-TV as "probably the most toxic herbicide by far," noting that it can damage fats and proteins and is not selective in the tissues it injures.
Community Response And Current Status
Lake Cormorant head coach Nick Nester and his wife helped organize the GoFundMe to assist with medical expenses and costs related to Brown’s transfer to Houston. Coach Nester praised Brown as "a first-class kid" who is humble, hardworking and a positive presence on and off the field. He said teammates, coaches and the broader community have rallied around the family.
Recent updates shared via the fundraiser indicated cautious optimism from the family after some challenging days, but medical teams say Brown is not yet out of danger as they evaluate treatment options, including the possibility of a lung transplant.
Ongoing Appeals
Officials and the family continue to urge the public to avoid speculation about how the exposure occurred while medical care and any necessary investigations proceed. Reporting on the case has drawn from WMC-TV, Magnolia State Live and the verified GoFundMe page maintained for Brown's care.
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