SEATTLE – Kiyoshi Jones, a South Whidbey High School student who suffered a head injury during a junior-varsity football game on Monday, was upgraded Tuesday from serious to satisfactory condition and was moved out of the intensive-care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Jones, 17, was air-lifted to Harborview Monday evening shortly after taking himself out of a game being played at Sultan High School. He underwent successful surgery and is regaining his motor skills and speech, Jones’ parents, who were not identified, said in a press release provided by the school.
“The highlight of his current memory is that in the game in which he was injured, he also scored his first touchdown,” the release said. “Of course, he doesn’t remember how he was hit or when but he remembers the touchdown. We express great appreciation for those individuals who acted to assure Kiyoshi the highest quality of medical care on the field, in transit and at the hospital. Football is an inherently dangerous sport, and the family wants it known that there is no ill will toward any of the individuals involved in the play in question.”
According to South Whidbey principal Mike Johnson, Jones walked to the sideline under his own power during the game and asked to be replaced. He was evaluated by a coach and it was decided that 9-1-1 should be called. Medics arrived and called for the airlift. Jones, a junior, underwent surgery late Monday night. The type of surgery was not released by the school, parents or Harborview. The game, which was nearly over, ended when the helicopter used the Sultan High School field to land.
“Based on the information given to me by the coaches, it was not any one hit or blow that caused the injury,” Johnson said.
No long-term prognosis was released, but Johnson said, “Things are looking better.”
Johnson said the students and staff have been given updates on Jones’ condition and have been making get-well cards.
“Any time you have a kid in a small school like this injured, you take it real personally,” Johnson said. “They are very interested in knowing how Kiyoshi is doing.”
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