Karns City quarterback Mason Martin shows first signs of life four days after collapsing on the field with a ‘significant cerebral haemorrhage’
- Mason Martin, 17, has made great strides since his accident Friday night in Pennsylvania
- Martin can now move his arms, react to light and can retract his legs
- A stream of support from family and friends surrounded him
The family of a high school quarterback who collapsed on the field Friday night has issued an update on his health.
Pennsylvania football player Mason Martin, 17, suffered a “significant cerebral hemorrhage” and collapsed lung after being hit during the game, putting his life on the line.
Karns City Gremlin’s football page shared an update from the Martin family on Tuesday saying that in the past 24 hours the young footballer has moved his arms, reacted lightly to light and moved his legs when his toes became trapped.
His mother Stacy King Martin – who was herself diagnosed with cancer – posted on Facebook: “This is the first positive step in an extremely long journey. The prayer vigils at the hospital and in Karns City have overwhelmed us with joy and motivation.”
Mason’s mother also shared the news that her son’s chest tube had been removed and his lung had recovered.
Karns City high school quarterback Mason Martin, who collapsed on the field Friday from a cerebral hemorrhage, is showing signs of recovery, his family said Tuesday
Martin’s mother asked everyone for their continued support and prayers for her son, who is one step closer to recovery
His mother Stacy King Martin, who was diagnosed with cancer, posted on Facebook saying, “This is the first positive step in an extremely long journey. The prayer vigils at the hospital and in Karns City have overwhelmed us with joy and motivation.”
She ended her message with her son’s favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, which represents God’s promise to give people future and hope.
This Bible verse is so beloved by Martin that it is tattooed on his right thigh.
Although Martin continued to play after being hit in the third quarter, his injuries caught up with him as Mike Vasbinder the referee saw him falter.
Vasbinder blew his whistle to stop the match as Martin fell to the ground.
Everyone in the stands and on the field immediately got on their knees in honor of Martin and began to pray for him.
He was soon taken off the field in an ambulance before being flown to UMPC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
His mother’s initial Facebook post read: “Mason remains in critical condition, with little change in the past 36 hours. The truth is we need a miracle. I don’t say this to sound grim, but to let you know that we need the power of your prayers.”
That message also concluded with the same Bible verse.
According to Martin, he scored his team’s lone touchdown in Friday’s game D9 Sports.
Friends and family held two vigils for Martin, one Saturday outside the hospital and one Sunday evening at the Diehl Stadium.
Mason Martin and his mother Stacy King Martin wearing the purple and yellow Karns City Gremlin football jersey
When Martin collapsed, everyone in the stands and on the field immediately went on their knees in his honor
“Mason Strong” hashtags were shared on social media and displayed on purple and yellow signs during the vigil
Spectator Brittany Thompon, who was outside UMPC Presbyterian at the vigil, told the Butler Eagle that Martin’s accident reminded her of Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin’s field collapse.
Vasbinder, the referee also thought of Damar Hamlin when he saw Martin go down in front of him.
“You see how it ended with Mr. Hamlin, so we pray the same will happen for Mason Martin,” Vasbinder said.
“Mason Strong” hashtags were shared on social media and displayed on purple and yellow signs during the vigil.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for the family and according to Penn Live it originally had a target of $5,000, but closed Monday after hitting a staggering $14,000.
Martin’s mother asked everyone for their continued support and prayers for her son, who is one step closer to recovery.