A high school football player in Winnipeg is in intensive care following a severe neck injury sustained during the opening kickoff of a game on Friday, which required immediate surgery. Darius Hartshorne, a student at Sisler High School and a player for the Sisler Spartans, was injured during the first play of a match against the Tec Voc Hornets.
Jeffrey Bannon, the commissioner of the Winnipeg High School Football League, expressed shock over the incident and the subsequent surgery, stating that it has had a significant impact on the Grade 12 student. Hartshorne is currently in the ICU and has started breathing on his own, with medical professionals monitoring the swelling to determine the extent of his recovery and future prospects.
Matt Henderson, the superintendent of the Winnipeg One School Division, mentioned that Hartshorne was injured during a tackle after receiving the opening kickoff. Henderson emphasized the rarity of such injuries and praised the coaching standards in teaching proper tackling techniques.
Notably, Hartshorne was actively involved with the North Winnipeg Nomads and was described as a kind and exceptional individual by his head coach, Sean Esselmont. The school community at Sisler has been informed of the injury, with support services like psychologists and social workers made available to assist staff and students.
Additionally, a GoFundMe page has been established to aid Hartshorne’s family, who may require home renovations due to the injury. Tec Voc players were also briefed about the situation. The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for Hartshorne and his family as they navigate this challenging time.
