A Pennsylvania high school quarterback is in critical condition after collapsing on the field shortly after being hit during a Friday night game.
Mason Martin, 17, was fighting for his life in the hospital after suffering a severe brain hemorrhage and a collapsed lung, his family said.
According to the Butler Eagle, referee Mike Vasbinder stopped Friday’s game between Karns City High School and Redbank Valley after noticing Martin staggering.
In the third quarter of Friday night’s game, Martin was involved in a hit and continued to play defense without issue before leaving the field to take the extra point.
He returned to the field for the rebound, but before the game began, Martin was seen staggering and swaying. Referee Vasbinder blew his whistle as Martin collapsed.
A high school football game was suspended after quarterback Mason Martin collapsed
17-year-old high school student Mason Martin suffered a “significant brain hemorrhage” and a collapsed lung
The stadium fell silent as Karns City players and coaches knelt and began to pray while Martin was cared for.
“I had to talk to him, and when I asked if he was OK, he told me, ‘No,'” Vasbinder said. “So that’s when I knew something was wrong.”
Martin was taken from the field by ambulance and then flown to UMPC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
After the scary scenes, the referees stopped the game and Redbank Valley declared the winner by a margin of 35-6.
Martin’s family told KDKA-TV that he suffered a “significant brain hemorrhage as well as a collapsed lung.”
His mother, Stacy King Martin, who was diagnosed with cancer, shared a family update on her social media.
“Mason remains in critical condition, which has shown little change over the past 36 hours,” Sunday’s statement said. “The truth is that we need a miracle.” I don’t say this to sound grim, but to let you know that we need the power of your prayers.
“No one believes in this boy more than we do, but he needs everyone’s strength and prayers.” “For now we have to wait for the swelling to go down to assess the extent of the brain damage.”
The statement concluded with Martin’s alleged favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11.
The quarterback has the verse tattooed on his right thigh, which reads: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future give.”
The Karns City football team shared an update on social media from the signal-caller’s mother, Stacy King Martin
Brittany Thompson, a spectator who was there with her daughter, told the Butler Eagle that the incident was reminiscent of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s collapse during a Week 17 NFL game on Jan. 2.
Hamlin, 25, suffered cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field after being hit by Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL star has since made a miraculous recovery and is poised for a regular-season comeback.
“We’re not from this school district, but my daughter wanted to come to the game,” Thompson said. “It’s just really scary.”
Redbank Valley coach Blane Gold reportedly consulted with Vasbinder and the other officials and they decided to suspend the game.
“The coach at Redbank Valley was excellent,” Vasbinder told d9sports.com. “He said, ‘I don’t want to do anything to show disrespect.’
Redbank Valley players were also in shock, while members of the team and some cheerleaders also knelt in prayer.
“Obviously the NFL world was shocked by this last year,” Gold told d9sports.com. “You see how it ended with Mr. Hamlin, so we’re praying that the same thing happens for Mason Martin.” We’re going to pray that he can recover in the same positive way and be able to do whatever he wants. “
Karns City Superintendent Eric Ritzert announced that a prayer vigil for the senior would be held at Diehl Stadium on Sunday evening.
“All are welcome to gather with us in prayer,” Rizert wrote on social media, according to Penn Live. “During the community prayer vigil, we will also have counselors available for those who need support.”
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