High school football player in Arkansas practices with viper in helmet

• Two-foot venomous snake found inside helmet

• Player wore gear for nearly an hour without a bite

• Officers used water to force reluctant reptile out

A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice.

The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection. A slithering two-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.