Just a game

I was very disappointed in the adults at a recent Sebring Middle School football game that I attended. I was dumb struck at the sight of a football player lying on the ground yelling in pain with little help from anyone. Once the play resumed this student was left alone on the sidelines to figure out what to do. The EMT who was called in was ill-equipped to handle the situation while the coaches and the doctor on the field turned their attention to the game.

It took a parent who happened to be a paramedic to go on the field and take charge. The student was taken to the hospital with a core temperature of 104. His heart had to work overtime to handle the stress. Where were the coaches? Why didn't the principal check on the situation? Why did it have to take another player's father coming from the stands?

This is Florida. It was 95 degrees at the time. There is no cover in the stands or for the players if they feel that they're getting overheated. I guess no one in authority has heard of heat stroke.

Shame on the authority figures at the game that should have cared. Shame on the coach who got kicked out for cussing at the referee and shame on the principal for not going on the field to check on the student once the EMT was called.

If this is the example being set for these students then we're in big trouble. Everything turned out well, thanks to that father sitting in the stands, and I'd like to thank him on behalf of those who didn't do the right thing.

Todd Brabec
Sebring