On Friday night, A Pennsylvania high school football game was suspended after a quarterback collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital.
The game was played between, Karns City High School and Redbank Valley High School in Butler County.
Karns City quarterback Mason Martin, 17, began to stagger during the third quarter, and referee Mike Vasbiner noticed it, according to the Butler Eagle.
Martin received a hit during the game, after which the referee Mike Vasbinder noticed him staggering, reports Butler Eagle.
Despite receiving the hit during the third quarter of the game, he continued to play defense without any apparent problem until he left the field for an extra point.
However, when he came for the return kickoff, he was noticed staggering and wobbling, prompting referee Vasbinder to blow his whistle. Martin collapsed soon after.
“I had to talk to him, and when I asked if he was alright, he told me, ‘No,’” the referee told the outlet. “So, that’s when I knew something was wrong.”
Martin soon collapsed and was rushed by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The game was called off, and Redbank Valley was the winner, as they were 35-6.
Martin’s family told KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh that their son suffered a “significant brain bleed as well as a collapsed lung.”
The high school football team shared an update from Martin’s mother on their social media.
“Mason remains in critical condition with little change over the last 36 hours,” the message on Sunday reads. “The truth is we need a miracle. I’m not saying that to sound grim but to let you know that we need the strength of your prayers.”
“No one believes in this kid more than us, but he needs everyone’s strength and prayers. Right now, we have to wait for the swelling to go down to assess the extent of the damage to the brain.”
Karns City Superintendent Eric Ritzert said Saturday that a prayer vigil for the senior quarterback would be held Sunday night at Diehl Stadium.
“All are welcome to gather with us in prayer,” Rizert wrote on social media, according to Penn Live.
“We will also have counselors available during the community prayer vigil for those in need of support.”
