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You are here: Experts > Sports > Football > College Football > high school football
Expert: Thom Brooks - 11/2/2009
Question
QUESTION: I need help to answer a question about a late helmet hit in a recent high school football game. Can you help me with this or know someone who can
ANSWER: Stacy, hello!
I can help but give me the particulars of the play.
Thanks,
Thom Brooks
CompnyBiz@aol.com
Savannah, Georgia
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: My son went out to receive a pass. The ball was thrown too far out in front of him, it bounced and rolled/went out of bounds. The whistle blew, the play was over and one of the other teams player continued to run and hit my son with the top of his helmet at my son's waist where both his hands were. The helmet broke his left hand and right wrist. There was a 15 yard penalty called on the player but he was still allowed to play in the game as well as the weeks games to follow. My son has had to have surgery on both hands and is out for the season. This is very upsetting to me. Sooo many people have talked about it being a late and illegal hit. If it was late and illegal why wasn't there more done than just a 15 yard penalty? Is there something I can do about this???
Answer
Stacy, hello again!
I am very sorry for your son's injury and hope he has full recovery.
At the time of the foul, the official (s) determined it was a Personal Foul and assessed the 15 yard penalty. Had they determined it was an intentional hit with Malice, they would have ejected the guilty player. The Referee would have made a written report of the Ejection to the state. The state would have been suspended that person for at least the next game, and perhaps banned from football.
I cannot advise if the officials made the best call or should have done more. It would have to be reviewed by the your state high school Association. Contact them and the school to see if there were any game films. The state can make a decision as to punishing the offender, or if anything can be done. Even an Attorney's opinion may not resolve the anger.
If my son had been hurt, I would have been furious but the game of Football is a very vicious event. The officials could not have prevented the injury. Maybe they could have done more, but I would have needed to be there to hear their side of the play. It sounds as if they did all that could be done. When those plays happen in those split seconds, the official is looking at the end of the play and the last 1-2 steps the tackler takes. It could have been in the realm of those steps. You can contact the state Association and download the NFHS rules of play. (National Federation of High Schools).
If he returns to football, those wrists may actually become stronger, so it could turn out to be a blessing for him if he makes it to college and the Pros!!
Take care,
Thom Brooks
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