Football player on No. 1 nationally ranked HS team suffered brain injury in hazing ritual
The No. 1 nationally ranked high school football program in the country is making national headlines for a player’s severe injuries caused by what’s being called a “locker room ritual” for the team.
A football player at Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California) suffered brain damage and a broken nose after a hazing ritual that occurred in February, according to a lengthy report by The Orange County Register.
Major FBS blue chip source & national #1 Mater Dei’s football coach was allegedly aware of the player ritual of punching each other – one participant has withdrawn from school & claims to suffer from brain injuries, and a police investigation is on-going.https://t.co/9mLyPM031p
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 24, 2021
The player was reportedly injured in the two-person hazing game “Bodies.” The unnamed football player was reportedly forced to fight a teammate more than 50 pounds heavier than him. The report states Mater Dei’s training staff did not immediately attend to the injured player and waited to notify his parents. The player’s family filed a lawsuit against Mater Dei and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday.
