Posted on May 10, 2010 · Posted in Brain Injury

Another tragedy has struck a young football player on the field.

Dylan Steigers, a 21-year-old Eastern Oregon University football player, died a day after he sustained brain injuries after being struck in the head during a scrimmage Saturday.

Steigers, who had been a football star at Sentinel High School in Missoula,, Mont., walked off the field after being hit, but then threw up while on the sidelines. Vomiting after taking such a blow is considered a sign of concussion, according to a press release put out by Eastern Oregon.  http://chinook.eou.edu/ua_story/index.cfm?ID_num=979

Following protocol, an EOU certified trainer called 911, the university said. Steigers was transported to Grand Ronde Hospital, and then sent via LifeFlight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Medical staff told university officials that he suffered an acute subdural hematoma as a result of contact to the head.

The youth, who was found to be brain dead, was on life support until Sunday afternoon, when he died. His family took  him off the apparatus.

“It’s hard to describe the emotions we all feel about losing Dylan,” EOU President Bob Davies said. “I sat with Dylan’s family during the scrimmage, and had the chance to connect with them. Dylan was an exceptional young man who loved to play football, and he had a bright future ahead of him. This is a loss we will feel for a very long time. We are reaching out to Dylan’s family in this time of loss.”

EOU Head Coach Tim Camp has been in continual communication with the family, and was in Boise until early Sunday morning.

“One of the most difficult situations I think that you could ever be in is when you lose a member of your family,” Camp said. “It is very difficult time for our coaches and our players. We will provide these fine young men with the mentoring and help they need to get through this very difficult situation.”

Davies said that the university and its community have been deeply affected by the loss.

“I have received many e-mails, phone calls and messages from members of the local community and beyond — university presidents, alumni, Foundation trustees and others — with offerings of support, prayers and asking what they can do to help,” Davies said. “The outpouring of support has been amazing.”

Steigers had joined the Mountaineer football program this spring after transferring from the University of Montana. He was working out with the team and building his eligibility to play on the team during the fall 2010 season. He graduated from Missoula Sentinel High School in 2006.

He is survived by his parents, Tom and Cindy of Missoula, a sister, Libby, his 2-year-old daughter, London, and partner, Liz Apostol.

 

 

About the Author

Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447