Grief support was made available Sunday for students at a high school south of Duluth after one of its football players collapsed on the field during a varsity game and later died.
Jackson Pfister, who would have turned 16 this Saturday, was stricken late in the game Friday at Veterans Field in Aitkin, police said. He was taken by ambulance to Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and died shortly afterward.
Pfister, a late substitution at quarterback during Esko's victory over Aitkin, went to the ground about 10 yards behind the play, then "got up, began to walk over to the sideline and collapsed," said Matt Fowler, who was calling the game on Aitkin-based KKIN Radio.
Fowler said two people from the Esko sideline went to the sophomore's aid right away, and an Aitkin player brought over a blanket.
"He laid there for … maybe closer to 10" minutes before an ambulance arrived and took Pfister off the field, Fowler said. The game was ruled complete with three minutes remaining on the clock.
No ambulance was on station at the game, as had been the practice a number of seasons ago, said Aitkin Public Schools Superintendent Dan Stifter, who was in attendance.
"That's how it has been the last few years," said Stifter, who became superintendent in July. "I don't know why they aren't there now."
As soon as Pfister collapsed, Stifter said, a doctor and a trainer from Aitkin's sideline went to the teen's aid.
