Following the death of an Evergreen football player after an in-game injury last weekend, Friday night’s football game between the Lindbergh Eagles and the Evergreen Wolverines has been postponed.
Evergreen’s Kenny Bui, 17, died Monday from injuries suffered during an Oct. 2 game between Evergreen and Highline at Highline Memorial Stadium in Burien.
Renton Athletic Director and Seamount League President Brian Kaelin said Friday’s game will not take place as scheduled, but there has been no discussion yet on make-ups or the effect on league scheduling.
“We will discuss this with the Highline School District and Seamount LEague Athletic Directors once we feel it is appropriate to do so,” Kaelin said in an email. “Our condolences go out to the Bui family, friends, Evergreen High School, and the Highline School District.”
Bui’s death, along with a second serious injury suffered this past weekend by a high school football player near Chehalis, has prompted a new look at safety procedures, particularly with collision sports, like football.
According to Kaelin, the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) requires that all WIAA member school football coaches receive football specific safety training. Head coaches were required to take this safety training prior to this season and assistant coaches are required to take it prior to next season.
However, Kaelin said both the Renton and Highline School Districts required all of their coaches to take the training prior to the start of this season. Therefore, all of the football coaches in the Renton school district have received training in the following areas:
• Safer Tackling Techniques and Drills;
• Helmet and Should Pad Fitting;
• Concussion Management;
• Return to Play Protocols following a concussion;
• Heat and Hydration Training; and
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest training.
In addition, members of Renton Fire and Emergency Services are on-hand at all games at Renton Memorial Stadium.
But Kaelin said even with proper training and taking all necessary precautions, the possibility of a major injury still exists.
“Though we haven’t had a catastrophic injury during my time as an administrator, something like this could happen anywhere,” he said.
