HOUSTON - Undiagnosed heart problems are the leading cause of death among student athletes.
It was the reason why a Crosby teenager lost his life.
But his tragic death could help save the lives of other student athletes statewide with a new bill to make those electrocardiogram screenings mandatory
"Cody was just so special. He was 6' 9'' and full of life," said Katie Stephens, Cody's sister.
He played right guard for the Cougars.
"My brother would be finishing up his junior year at Tarleton State University had he had this EKG or at least that's our thought," Stephens said.
It's a thought that Stephens family has been taking seriously and on Wednesday they brought their fight to the Capitol along with three local lawmakers.
"There is no more important issue than our kids," said Scott Stephens, Cody's father.
It's an issue the Cody Stephens Foundation has taken up in order to garner as much support as possible for legislation that will allow for electrocardiogram screenings as a requirement for any student participating in athletics.
Representative Sylvester Turner joined Representative Wayne Smith, Representative Dan Huberty and others from the medical and educational communities in Austin to support the Stephens Foundation
Cody was weeks from graduating in May 2012. One day he came come, fell asleep and never woke up. Later doctors told his family he suffered from sudden cardiac arrest.
"If we do it for 20 years and if we find one kid and save one kids life it's fully worth it," said Jeff Riordan, athletic director and head football coach at Crosby High School.
Riordan came to Crosby just months before Cody died. He supports what the family is pushing for and his current players agree
"Just knowing that your heart is the most important thing and it's going to be the safest thing it's better to know we have heart screenings here in Crosby," said Micah Edwards, a junior, who plays Stephens' old position, right guard.
Crosby's Athletic Department put the mandatory testing in place after what happened to Cody.
"It's already enough having to worry about your body with your bones breaking, with your soreness," Edwards added.
The Stephens' hope if Texas gets on board, the rest of the country will too
"76 was his football number and he's always with us," his sister said.
