A South East High School student was seriously injured Friday night after tackling another player during a varsity football game against Maywood Center for Enriched Studies.
After a player was tackled on the sideline during the second half of a game at South East High School in South Gate, the student who made the tackle needed immediate medical attention, said a member of the Los Angeles Soccer Referees Association who was not authorized to speak publicly about the incident. The student was taken to the hospital by ambulance and the game was over.
An official report was filed, the person said, but it was not available to the public because a minor was involved.
“I got down on my knees and prayed that this kid could recover and get back up,” said Cesar Trillo, Maywood’s college coach.
South East High School Principal Eric Jaimes sent a message to families about the incident, saying, “Our student received medical attention and is currently being treated at a medical facility. Our thoughts are with the student and his family during this extremely difficult time.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the student's name had not been released, nor had any information about his condition been disclosed.
Last year, there were eight athletic trainers employed at Los Angeles Unified School District schools (South East had none). The Los Angeles Unified School District requires the home team to provide an EMT or athletic trainer before the game begins. This suggests the visiting team should have one as well.
This month, two Alabama high school football players died within two weeks of each other, NPR reported. Quarterback Caden Tellier, 16, died after suffering a head injury in the first half of the John T. Morgan Academy home opener in Selma. Semaj Wilkins, 14, died after collapsing during practice at New Brockton High School on a day when the temperature hit 96 degrees.
