Spokane HS football player dies from game injury

SPOKANE - A 17-year-old football player who was injured during a game in Eastern Washington Friday night has died.

Drew Swank played for Valley Christian High School in Spokane Valley. He had been in critical condition all weekend after suffering serious head injuries during Friday night's game against Washtucna-Lacross.

The junior defensive-back took a violent hit on the field. School administrator Derek Tabisha says he was able to walk to the sideline where he became sick and collapsed. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Due to the angle and force of the blow, the frontal lobe of his brain was damaged, causing massive hemorrhaging and multiple strokes. Swank had three surgeries before being induced into a coma. He was later declared brain dead.

Swank's family had planned on taking him off life support Monday. Swank passed away early Monday morning.

Nicole Albright, Drew's older sister, said the family is donating his organs - something Drew said he wanted to do.

"We want his life to go on and to help others," she said.

Valley Christian School released the following statement:

"Andrew Fremont Swank was a 17-year-old Junior at Valley Christian School in Spokane, WA. He suffered a life-ending head injury as a star high school football player in a game at Washtucna, WA on September 25, 2009. Andrew is donating his organs so others lives can be saved. He is a Christian and a Hero. "Drew" is now in heaven with God. He is a true testament of faith in God. Andrew is survived by his father & mother and his seven siblings (four sisters & three brothers). His family loves him so much and is so appreciative of everyone's thoughts and prayers."

Valley Christian School held an assembly to discuss Drew's death with other students Monday morning. The school also excused absences Monday for classmates too distraught to come to school.

Washington has the toughest sports concussion law in the country -- a measure passed by the Washington Legislature this spring. The Zackery Lystedt Law requires all athletes under the age of 18 who are suspected of having a concussion to get written consent from a licensed medical provider trained in evaluating concussions before returning to play.

More than 3.5 million sports-related concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Brain Injury Association of Washington.

Washington has the nation's only sports concussion program housed at Harborview Medical Center. Its doctors and staff specialize in treating concussion patients and educating parents and coaches about the dangers of sports head trauma.

"If you have a concussion and you go back into a game and get a second impact, you can have what's called second-impact syndrome, which can almost invariably result in death or very significant morbidity," said Dr. Scott Laker.

Swank is survived by his parents, four sisters and three brothers.

Swank's parents are now facing mounting medical bills that are threatening to make them lose their home. If you would like to help the Swanks, they have set up a fund at Spokane Teachers Credit Union under "Andrew Swank" to help pay for Drew's medical fees.