OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – An Olathe East football player who collapsed during a game is showing more signs of improvement, including reacting to his favorite music. The family of James McGinnis says he is responding to the Zac Brown Band.
In a statement his family says while his reactions were small, they are grateful. James is in the hospital recovering from head injuries he suffered during Olathe East’s game last Friday night.
Students at Olathe East High School gathered to pray for him Tuesday morning. James’ father will present Olathe East football players with decals of James’s favorite saying: “Play Like a Champion.”
In the meantime, Friday night’s scary moments on the field have some metro school districts reviewing ambulance policies for football games. The Blue Springs School District reviewed its policy and decided it was a good policy, and it would stay put.
For each football game, the district has full-time trainers and doctors on site, and the district works with the Central Jackson County Fire Department.
The department knows when each game is, and it’s on-site if possible. The Blue Valley School District also reviewed its policy and decided it’d stick with the current process.
The district also has a full-time trainer and at least one doctor on the sidelines, plus it works with Johnson County Med-Act in case of an emergency.
But Med-Act isn’t on site for those games, simply because it could be a drain on resources.
“In Johnson County on any given Friday night, you may have 10 to 12 football games going on at the same time,” said Blue Valley Athletic Director, Lane Green.
The Lee’s Summit School District Athletic Director is reflecting on current policies as well to make sure students can be safe. At Lee’s Summit games, there’s also an emergency crew on site, unless they’re unable to be there because of another medical call.
According to a spokesperson from Med-Act, McGinnis was on his way to the hospital 13 minutes after 911 was called. According to Med-Act’s information, paramedics arrived on scene within seven minutes.
