image description
Spring Lake, NJ
Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ
Bay Head, NJ
Belmar Marina, NJ
Fisherman's Memorial - Point Pleasant, NJ
Manasquan Inlet, NJ
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, NJ
Lakewood, NJ

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith Representing New Jersey's 4th District

Chris Smith Photo
OpenerMenu
  • Home
  • Constituent Services
    • Help With A Federal Agency
    • Visit Washington, D.C.
    • Flag Requests
    • Internships
    • Service Academy Nominations
    • Congressional Art Competition
    • Community Projects
  • Legislation
    • Laws Authored by Chris
    • Introduced Sponsored Legislation
    • Proposed Cosponsored Legislation
  • About Chris
    • Biography
    • Committees
    • Caucus Membership
  • Contact
    • Email Chris
    • Office Contact Information
  • Newsroom
  • 4th District
  • Flag Requests
  • Visit Washington, DC
    Font Size: 
Home > news

In the Press...

ABC 7 Segment on Braeden Bradforth Case'Family, supporters demand justice in New Jersey football player's death after practice'

f t #
AVON BY THE SEA, NJ , Apr 6, 2019 | comments
  • ABC 7

  • Braedon Bradforth.

  • Reporter Anthony Johnson of ABC Channel 7.

  • Rep. Smith letter wrote a letter to the college seeking answers to what happened to Braedon.

  • Mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram with son Braedon Bradforth.

  • Braedon's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, at center, with her attorney Jill Greene and US Rep Chris Smith.

NEPTUNE, New Jersey (WABC) -- A mother from New Jersey is still heartbroken and angry months after her son's sudden death on the football field. 

Braeden Bradforth, 19, collapsed after practice at Garden City Community College in Kansas on Aug. 1, 2018, and died a few hours later -- apparently due to heat stroke. 
 
The sudden tragedy has raised a lot of questions that have been ignored, according to Bradforth's family and supporters. 

His mother broke her silence on Friday and is now demanding answers. 

"It may not be important to anyone else, but it's important to me to know what happened to him," mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram said. 

Congressman Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, says the response from the school has been frustrating. 

"There should have been a comprehensive independent investigation immediately asking what happened," Smith said. "There's all kinds of questions swirling around and no answers." 

Smith has reached out to the school's president and feels the reply has been unsatisfactory. 
 

Bradforth was a 6 foot 4, 205-pound lineman who played both offense and defense. His teammates told investigators he was struggling during a timed wind sprint practice while being pushed to the limit and not properly hydrated. 

"The whole, you know, 'I'm gonna beat you down because that's gonna make you stronger,' that has to stop," Atkins-Ingram said. 

At first it was believed Bradforth died from a blood clot, but the family lawyer says the medical examiner ruled his death was caused by exertional heat stroke. 

"And if we continued to be stonewalled as we have so far, then yes, we will be filing a lawsuit," family lawyer Jill Greene said. 

There's no word on when that lawsuit would be filed, but there will be a community meeting in Neptune on April 11 so residents of the community can find out exactly what's happening. 
f t #


  • Laws Authored by Chris
  • Laws Co-Sponsored by Chris
  • Bills passed the House of Representatives
  • Smith Amendments offered, passed in the House
  • Bills that became Law and Resolutions Passed

District
Offices to
Serve You:
  • Constituent Service Center
    1005 Hooper Avenue
    Toms River, NJ 08753
    Tel.: (732) 504-0567
******
  • Washington, D.C. Office
    2373 Rayburn HOB
    Washington, D.C. 20515
    Tel.: (202) 225-3765
  • Constituent Services
  • Newsroom
  • 4th District
  • Contact Chris
  • Flag Requests
  • Visit Washington, DC
  • youtube
  • instagram
Search Legislation Options
Washington DC Office

2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: (202) 225-3765

 
Constituent Service Center

1005 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ  08753

Phone: (732) 504-0567

*Please call for an appointment.


  • Home
  • CONTACT
  • Site Map
  • youtube
  • instagram