Hundreds Gather in Support of Mahopac Teen Football Player
By Jon Craig
Hundreds of Mahopac students, friends and relatives of Justin Sacco, a 13-year-old who suffered a traumatic brain injury last month, turned out Saturday to raise money toward his recovery
“This is phenomenal,’’ Justin’s father, Anthony, said after announcing raffle winners during a five-hour fundraiser at the South Side Inn. “There are so many people to thank. If I keep talking, I’ll get emotional.”
A teen band called “Dead End” entertained a wall-to-wall crowd at the bar and grill. The kids, many still wearing braces, were learning a tough lesson about fresh starts. Justin is undergoing extensive physical rehabilitation at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla after emergency surgery Sept. 27 to relieve pressure on his brain.
The Mahopac eighth grader was hurt while throwing a football with teammates before the start of practice. None of the teenagers were wearing helmets. Players commonly don’t wear protective gear during a non-contact, walk-through practice.
Anthony and his wife, Kimberly, have swapped bedside hospital shifts the past two weeks. “He’s doing much, much better,’’ Justin’s father said. “He’s progressing every day.”
By Oct. 2, Justin was able to walk with assistance. It’s too early to predict his chances for a full recovery, though his father said doctors are optimistic.
Cynthia O’Brien, who son James plays on the team, said, “Justin Sacco is a great friend to all of the boys on the football team and it’s been wonderful to be a part of a community that has come together for his family.”
Justin, who plays left guard on offense and outside linebacker on defense, draws strength from hospital visits by his teammates and relatives.
“He’s doing good,’’ said Tamara Day, Justin’s cousin. Tamara attended Saturday’s fund-raiser at South Side Inn with another cousin, Alexa Lombardi.
Teammate Vincent Annabi was among several dozen Mahopac Sports Association football players proudly selling blue and gold bracelets with the slogan: “J.S. Keep Fighting #42”
Justin’s brothers, T.J., Ryan and Tyler, also play football.
When a pass thrown toward Justin was deflected, he leaned over to retrieve it. Another player was unable to stop and Justin got kneed in the head. Justin complained that his head was killing him, and it was initially treated as a concussion.
The boy was examined at the emergency room of Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel where a CT scan revealed a more serious injury. Justin was airlifted to Westchester Medical Center for what was described as a successful surgery.
Donations also can be made care of Debbie Sacco Lombardi at P.O. Box 274, Mahopac Falls, N.Y. 10542.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
