A teenage football player has died, just days after taking a hard hit during a high school name, reports King 5. The student was Evergreen High School senior Kenny Bui from Seattle.
This is a breaking story so stay tuned for updates.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Incident Happened During His School’s Homecoming Game
(Twitter)
The hit happened during the 4th quarter of Evergreen’s homecoming game with Highline at their stadium, Highline Memorial Field, on October 2. King 5 reported that while he was at the hospital, his family kept a vigil at his bedside. He passed away on October 5 at Harborview Medical Center.
2. Youth Coaches Underwent New Training for Dealing With Concussions in Washington This Year
Coaches and team volunteers in the state of Washington had been required to go through concussion training for the 2015 season, reports King 5. The official policy from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association reads “A youth athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time. A youth athlete who has been removed from play may not return to play until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider.” It was Harborview Medical Center who produced a video, along with the University of Washington, on brain injuries in youth sports.
3. The Hashtag ‘#BuiStrong’ Became a National Trend After His Death
Rip to my boy Kenny #BuiStrong.🙏🏾 http://t.co/cTSeFcPby7
His classmates, teammates and even people who didn’t know him, are paying tribute to Bui, on Twitter with the hashtag “#buistrong.”
Rip to my boy Kenny #BuiStrong.🙏🏾 http://t.co/cTSeFcPby7
4. He Underwent Brain Surgery
The Highline School District and community sharing messages of hope for injured football player Kenny Bui. #Q13FOX http://t.co/pcH4LP0jvz
KIRO-TV reports that Bui died after suffering a “traumatic brain injury.” He had undergone surgery. The game was called off after the incident. The injury was addressed in a series of tweets by the Superintendent for Highline School, Susan Enfield. She wrote, in part, “Our Highline community is hurting this weekend.” A news of Bui’s death emerged, Enfield released a statement that read “This is a devastating loss for all of us.”
5. He Played as Wide Receiver
(Facebook)
Evergreen High School is the alma-mater of New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Senio Kelemete. He graduated from the school in 2008. According to Max Preps, Bui played as a wide receiver for his team. He was 5-foot-8 and weighted 150 pounds.