Sweet Home, Ore. – The tragedy that struck Sweet Home High School on Oct. 5 has drawn an outpouring of support from the local community and the University of Oregon football program. Mason Flores, a 16‑year‑old junior, died after a brain injury suffered during a junior varsity game against Marist Catholic on Sept. 28.
Coach Lanning’s Tribute
At the University of Oregon’s weekly press conference on Monday night, head football coach Dan Lanning paused to address Flores’ family and teammates. “I want his family to know we’re thinking about them,” Lanning said. “I have two sons that play football myself, and to go through something like that — that’s not something any parent or teammate should ever deal with. Life is a lot bigger than football, so that is certainly something that hits home, and we want to keep them in our thoughts.”
Medical Emergency and Organ Donation
Following the Sept. 28 collision, Flores was air‑lifted via Life Flight to Portland for emergency brain surgery. Despite the medical team’s efforts, he did not recover. In the days after his passing, his family prepared him to become an organ donor, a decision highlighted by GoFundMe organizer Rebecca Burgin in an update posted Saturday.
“There are no words that can make this easier,” Burgin wrote. “But as we prepare for that goodbye, I don’t want Mason’s story to be remembered only for the tragedy that brought us to this moment.” As of Tuesday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $67,000 toward its $75,000 goal, reflecting the community’s generosity.
Superintendent’s Call to Remember
Sweet Home School District Superintendent Terry Martin released a video statement urging residents to honor Flores’ memory by focusing on his smile and the values he embodied. Martin asked the community to “keep living, to laugh louder, to love our people fiercely, to make memories and to cheer from the sidelines.”
He also confirmed that the district will proceed with its scheduled homecoming events on Friday, doing so with the Flores family’s blessing. The events will serve as a tribute, allowing teammates, classmates, and neighbors to celebrate Mason’s life together.
Community Response
Local churches, civic groups, and businesses have joined the effort, offering prayers, meals, and support to the grieving family. Many have highlighted the importance of parental guidance and the role of faith in navigating such loss, echoing the district’s emphasis on family and community resilience.
While the incident has sparked conversations about safety protocols in youth football, officials have reiterated that the sport remains a valuable outlet for character development and teamwork. The focus, however, remains on supporting the Flores family and ensuring Mason’s legacy is honored beyond the field.
Looking Ahead
As Sweet Home prepares for its homecoming celebrations, the community’s collective grief is balanced by a determination to uphold the values Mason cherished: love, laughter, and a commitment to one another. The outpouring of support underscores the town’s strong ties and the shared belief that life’s greatest moments extend far beyond any single game.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
