School community rallies for Karns City quarterback
The parents of Karns City Gremlins quarterback Mason Martin, who collapsed Friday night, Sept. 1, during a football game against Redbank Valley, are calling for “everyone’s strength and prayers” while doctors wait to assess possible injury to his brain.
A Facebook post with words attributed to Mason’s parents said the Karns City senior is in critical condition following his collapse Friday.
To support Mason and his family, the Karns City Area School District’s community will gather for a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Sunday at the high school stadium.
Mason was taken from the field at Karns City high school’s Diehl Stadium by ambulance and then transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. The incident was reported to dispatch at 8:48 p.m.
Cassie Butler-Wood, a colleague of the Martin family, said via a Facebook message that community members from East Brady have also been outside the hospital supporting Mason, and they will be at the prayer vigil tonight.
According to the parents’ Facebook post, doctors are waiting for the swelling in Mason’s brain to go down so they can assess the damage.
“The truth is we need a miracle,” Mason’s parents said in the post. “I’m not saying that to sound grim, but to let you know that we need the strength of your prayers. No one believes in this kid more than us, but he needs everyone’s strength and prayers.”
The parents signed off on the post using Mason’s favorite Bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, which he has as a tattoo:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
