KARNS CITY, PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania high school footballer Mason Martin, 17, who plays at the quarterback position, has been airlifted to the hospital after he collapsed on the field during a game on Friday, September 1.
Martin collapsed just a few moments after he received a hit during his Karns City High School’s game with Redbank Valley, per Daily Mail.
What happened to Mason Martin?
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 back for the return kickoff, he was noticed staggering and wobbling, prompting referee Vasbinder to blow his whistle. Martin collapsed soon after.
The referee recalled the moment saying, “I had to talk to him, and when I asked if he was alright, he told me, 'no.'”. He added, “So that's when I knew something was wrong.”
Martin was airlifted to the UMPC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he was diagnosed with “significant brain bleed as well as a collapsed lung,” his family told KDKA-TV.
Martin’s family shared an update of their son’s health condition. Also mentioning his mother Stacy King Martin’s previous cancer diagnosis, the post thanked everyone for their love and support.
The post reads, “First off, Stacy and I would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Your show of love has been so uplifting and inspiring.”
It continued, “Mason remains in critical condition with little change over the last 36 hours. The truth is we need a miracle.”
They wrote, “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.”
Giving an update on the extent of his injuries, the post continued, “Right now, we have to wait for the swelling to go down to assess the extent of the damage to brain. So please pray the way he has always played the game, all out holding nothing back, maybe a little angry, definitely aggressive.”
Promising to keep everyone updated, the post ended with Martin’s favorite Bible verse, “Jeremiah 29-11.”
The verse, which has been tattooed on Martin's right thigh too, 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."
Mason Martin's friends and family gather ‘to pray for a miracle’
The Karns City community gathered Sunday night to offer prayers for Martin.
In a spectacular show of love and support, the highschooler’s friends, family, and classmates clapped for the football team and stood in solidarity while praying for Martin’s swift recovery, per WPXI.
Karns City Area School Superintendent Eric Ritzert said during Sunday, August 3’s vigil, “We will now join as one to show our support for Mason.”
Noting that his parents have not left the quarterback’s bedside ever since, Superintendent Ritzert said, “This is a very serious situation and that’s why as a community we want to be there to support them.”
The entire community gathered on Sunday to offer prayers for Martin where his jersey #2 was also on display.
Pastor Pete Sapp said, “We gather here today to pray for a miracle.” Referring to Martin’s mother, who has been diagnosed with cancer recently, Pastor Sapp added, “The Martins have had more than their fair share of brokenness.”
Teammate and Martin’s friend Tate Beighley read the injured teen’s favorite Bible verse and said, “Please keep your thoughts and prayers with the Martin family,” before adding, “Mason is a fighter and I promise you he will win this battle.”
