An Ohio tourist celebrating the Fourth of July in knee-deep water at New Smyrna Beach found himself an unexpectedly tasty treat for a shark, marking the third bite incident in Florida's 'shark attack capital' this year.

The 21-year-old Ohio man was playing football in knee-deep water at 4 p.m. when the shark decided to join the game, perhaps being too literal about 'catching a foot-ball.' Thankfully, his injuries were non-life-threatening and he was promptly taken to the hospital. This bite marks Volusia County's third this year, adding to its infamous reputation for a sharky sense of humor.

New Smyrna Beach, colloquially known as the shark bite capital of the world, lived up to its name this Fourth of July. The latest victim in a series of clamorous incidents was a 21-year-old tourist from Ohio who was simply trying to enjoy a casual game of beach football.

It's not every day that a game of football is interrupted by one of nature's most feared predators, but that was precisely the case at 4 p.m. on Thursday. As the Ohio man waded in knee-deep water, a shark made an uninvited appearance, sinking its teeth into his right foot. This incident inevitably brought the game to a halt, though the man managed to escape with non-life-threatening injuries.

He was swiftly taken to the hospital where his somewhat peculiar souvenir from New Smyrna Beach was treated. The unfortunate event, although shocking, did little to deter beachgoers on one of the busiest days of the summer. After all, nothing says 'holiday fun' quite like narrowly avoiding becoming part of the food chain.

Volusia County, home to New Smyrna Beach, has seen a surge in these dorsal-finned encounters. This latest bite was the third reported in the county this year. Despite this frequency, experts assure us that back-to-back attacks remain unusual. One can only hope that the sharks aren’t unionizing.

Adding to the oddity, Florida wasn't the only state hosting such marine guests. The same day, Texas reported multiple shark attack incidents, suggesting that July 4th might need rebranding as Shark Awareness Day. The simultaneous incidents in two states have left experts scratching their heads, and beach lovers clutching their toes.

Officials from Volusia County noted that while Florida consistently tops the charts in shark attack numbers, the state generally enjoys a relatively safe cohabitation with its toothy inhabitants. Most shark bites are minor and rarely lead to serious injury or death.

For those still keen on visiting New Smyrna Beach, it might now come with a Hollywood-style disclaimer: play football at your own risk. Perhaps it's worth considering swapping beach sports for a landlocked activity—like chess, for instance.

Despite the heightened attention, local businesses are doing their best to assure tourists that the waters are generally safe. “Sharks are just a part of our ecosystem,” said a local beach vendor. “Think of them as grumpy neighbors who sometimes crash the party.”

Ultimately, the Ohio man's brush with a shark is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of mingling with marine life. As he recovers, he’ll have quite the story to tell—a harrowing yet humorous tale of how a football game turned into an unexpected encounter with the ocean's apex predator.

In conclusion, while Volusia County continues to wear its 'shark bite capital' badge with a mix of pride and concern, the general aim remains to peacefully coexist with these fascinating, albeit occasionally intrusive, marine creatures. And for the Ohio tourist, here's hoping his next beach outing involves fewer fins.