New York passed a law this summer to help guard student athletes from the repercussions of concussions. But that law can’t prevent young football players from being fatally hurt on the field.
Such was the case with a varsity football player in Upstate New York who died of a head injury he sustained while playing on Friday. The 16-year-old lineman’s name was Ridge Barden, according to the Associated Press, and his death has apparently shocked his hometown.
Barden, who played for John C. Birdlebough High School in Phoenix, N.Y., was hit during a play at an away game Friday at Homer, which is near Syracuse. He landed face down on the field, but then did sit up. Barden said he had a severe headache, AP reported.
But when Barden tried to get up, he fell back down. At first Barden was brought to a local hospital by ambulance, according to AP, and he was being moved to a medical center in Syracuse when his condition grew worse. The ambulance did turn around, but Barden died.
Recently there has been plenty of discussion about the safety, or lack of safety, of football helmets, especially for student football players. The Phoenix school district does send out its football helmets each year to be recondtioned, AP reported.
Barden’s death will be investigated by local police, but what will they find? An autopsy should be conducted to determine the precise cause of his demise.
Perhaps that will offer some insight that can help save a young life in the future.
