High school football player Damon Janes died in New York Monday after suffering from head injuries. While playing in a game, the junior running back was hit hard in the head and collapsed.
The Daily Mail reports that Janes' school, Brocton Central, played against Portville. After he took a hard hit to the head, the 16-year-old shook it off, and walked himself off the field. But then things got bad. Janes collapsed soon after and was found to be unconscious. He died three days later in the medical center in Buffalo.
Brocton Central School canceled all of their events for the week and hired grief councilors to be available to students and staff.
According to the Post-Journal, Janes' parents and doctors spoke out to everyone who kept Janes in their prayers and expressed their gratitude. They released a statement after seeing so much response on Facebook and Twitter and were appreciative of “those who have supported and prayed for Damon and his family, and continue to request that their privacy be respected at this time.”
The school website also featured a statement about Janes. “Our school and community is devastated by the football tragedy that occurred at the game last Friday night and we are grieving his loss. Damon was a unique, artistic, smart, athletic and friendly young man.”
Janes was not the first high school athlete to die from injuries obtained during a game. He was the third in the state over the last three years, according to the New York State Sportswriters Association. Since 2003, 25 high school players have died because of injuries gained on the football field.