EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Bowie High School student and band member Daniel Esparza has died after he collapsed during the school’s football game on Friday, Sept. 8 against Ysleta.

The University Medical Center of El Paso confirmed on Monday morning, Sept. 11, that Esparza had died.

“Please say a prayer for his family and all those who loved him,” UMC said.

The principal of Bowie High School says Esparza was not only a member of the band but was a part of the mariachi group, ROTC and the swim team.

“He is always happy to help others, always consoling others. If anybody had a problem, they would go to him. He was the leader in that band room. Everybody listened to him. He was our drum major as well. And so it is a great loss to our community, not just to our school,” said Rosauro Gandarilla, the principal of Bowie High School.

Gandarilla said the past few days have been difficult.

“It’s been difficult, since Friday, just everybody praying. Students came together and had a vigil for him as well. On Saturday night, everybody was at the hospital, students, parents, community members. People showed up to support the family all weekend long,” Gandarilla said.

Bowie High School senior David Valdiviezo says he’s known Esparza since they were young and has gone through school with him. He shared a memory of his friend and how he helped him.

“He’s very special to me because he helped me a lot, because we have some classes together and my English is not very well and he’ll help a lot to translate that word the teacher said to me. And he was a very good friend,” Valdiviezo said.

The El Paso Independent School District also provided a statement on Monday, Sept. 11, stating the following:

The El Paso ISD community grieves with the family of Bowie High School student Daniel Esparza who tragically passed away Sunday, Sept. 10. Daniel was a beloved member of the school community. He was a dutiful member of the Bowie band, mariachi group and JROTC who relished his role as a leader. El Paso ISD stands with Daniel’s family and with the entirety of Bowie High School as they gather the strength to deal with this trying time. A team of counselors is available to Bowie students and staff, and the district will provide any additional support necessary. Thank you to our Bowie students and staff, our local emergency first-responder personnel, and everyone in the community who has offered support throughout the last few days.

El Paso Independent School District

As KTSM has previously reported, several people from Bowie High School gathered at the Jefferson High School parking lot on Saturday night, Sept. 9, to hold a vigil for Esparza as he remained in critical condition.

Several in attendance offered prayers and words of positivity that Esparza would recover.

A GoFundMe was also created for the Esparza family to assist them during this time.