Carter Mason (Photo via CBS News)
Pennsylvania teenager Carter Mason remains hospitalized days after he collapsed during a game following a “severe helmet hit” during a Rochester High School football game on Oct. 4.
The 18-year-old son sustained a serious head injury in Friday’s game at Shenango and remained hospitalized at UPMC Children’s.
Terri Mason, his mother, was home watching a livestream of the Rochester football game when she realized something was wrong.
“No. 8 didn’t come back on that field,” said Mason, who was looking for her son, Carter, a senior running back. “Next thing you know, they said a Rochester player went down. When they did a play without my son, I knew it had to be him.
“Not 30 seconds later, every parent in the stands was calling my phone, telling me he was unresponsive, unconscious, having seizures and they’re life flighting him.”
Terri Mason stated Carter Mason had a concussion, which he has had many times before. He also had a brain bleed, but one that hasn’t required surgery.
Carter’s aunt Sandra Friend wrote on his GoFundMe that Mason was “breathing on his own,” and doctors “removed the intubation.” She also noted that medical personnel “stopped the sedation,” and the teenager was “briefly opening his eyes.”
“Carter’s making some good progress,” Sandra Friend added. “He is responding to some commands, he is saying words when he gets up, and he can sit up a little bit. We are hopeful that things are going to go well.”
Carter Mason’s mom confirmed this past Tuesday that her son is still “mostly asleep” but had been able to sit on the edge of his bed and give the nurse a high-five.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to tolerate a feeding tube despite multiple attempts to insert it.
It should be noted that Carter was reportedly wearing a Guardian Cap at the time of the hard hit. The protective padded caps were introduced with the goal of reducing the risk of head injuries, but as you can see, it did not help Mason very much.
School District Releases Statement Following Carter Mason’s Tragic Accident
The Rochester Area School District released a statement saying Carter was in everyone’s thoughts.
“The Rochester Area School District, including families, students, and staff, send their thoughts and prayers to the student, his family, our coaches and team, along with the Rochester school community,” the school district said in a statement shared on social media.
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound running back and defensive back has played football since he was 5, said his mother.
He scored a couple of touchdowns last year and returned a punt 66 yards for one touchdown this year.
“He loves football,” Mason said. “And this was his senior year, so this was it for him.”