An Arkansas high school football player discovered a venomous cottonmouth snake hiding inside his helmet after practicing for nearly an hour.

The two-foot-long snake had slipped beneath the helmet’s padding and remained hidden until the player noticed unusual movement.

School staff were shocked when they inspected the helmet and found the snake trapped inside.

Animal Services safely removed the cottonmouth and relocated it to a nearby river, NBC News has reported.

Officials reminded people to check helmets, shoes, gloves and other outdoor gear before using them to avoid dangerous encounters.