Full Recovery Expected For Football Player

A 14-year-old Rathdrum boy was moved out of intensive care Friday after lacerating his liver during football practice this week.

Jason Head’s parents said their son, who was transferred to the pediatric ward at Kootenai Medical Center, is expected to make a full recovery.

Head, a Lakeland Junior High student, was injured Wednesday during tryouts for the freshman football team while attempting to tackle a teammate, said Rob Head, the boy’s father. Both players were wearing full protective gear, but the boy’s knee slid under Head’s pads, he said.

Coaches thought Head had the wind knocked out of him and sent the boy home on his bicycle an hour and a half later. Rob Head said he thought his son had bruised ribs, and took him to the hospital when the pain persisted.

He spent two nights in intensive care before being transferred to the pediatric ward, Rob Head said.

, DataTimes