A high school football player in Arkansas discovered a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice. The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear after warmups and brought it to an assistant coach. A 2-foot cottonmouth, a pit viper, was found behind padding.

Police had to pour water into the helmet to force the snake out. Animal services identified it as a deadly cottonmouth, the second-most-venomous snake in Arkansas. \n\nAnimal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate not to be bitten. "It was unreal," Davis said. "You had to kind of be there and take pictures to say this was real." The player grabbed a different helmet and continued practice. The head coach reminded players to check equipment carefully for insects or larger dangers.