St. John-Endicott player in intensive care after collapse

A 16-year-old St. John-Endicott varsity quarterback was in intensive care at a Spokane hospital Saturday after collapsing during a game the night before.

Beau Winters, the son of St. John-Endicott schools Superintendent Rick Winters, was taken by helicopter to Deaconess Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Friday night to remove a blood clot creating pressure on his brain. Eagles coach Joey McCanna said the teenager, who remains sedated but in stable condition, did not make contact with other players during the play against Sprague-Harrington.

“We watched the entire film several different times, and we really haven’t been able to pinpoint one really hard hit or anything, a strike to the head, a knee to the head,” McCanna said.

“It’s just very bizarre, the way he collapsed.”

Doctors are draining the excess fluid to relieve swelling, and the teenager responded to a neurosurgeon’s questions, “which is a really good sign,” McCanna said.

“He’s recovering quite well,” Rick Winters said. “They say it’s a 72-hour watch to see how things will go.”

The 23-player team is the defending State 1B football champion. McCanna said he’s seen “nothing like this at all” during his 10-year tenure.

SJE led 36-0 Friday with about 5 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the quarter when the player collapsed, and the game was stopped and not resumed.

Junior Beau Winters, 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, has played football since the fifth grade, although he sat out last year, his father said.

It’s unclear whether the injury will cause long-term damage, but Rick Winters said he is hopeful it won’t.

“We’re doing OK,” he said. “It was a tough 24 hours for us, but we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing.

“We’re so grateful and thankful for all of the well-wishes and just the helpful attitude that everyone has offered so far.”