Sharon, Massachusetts — A serious incident occurred during a high school football game on Thanksgiving Day, leaving a sophomore player with a traumatic brain injury. Rohan Shukla, a student at Sharon High School, collapsed on the sideline after sustaining a head injury during a play against Easton Oliver Ames High School.
In a letter shared with the community, school officials, including Superintendent Peter Botelho and Principal Kristen Keenan, stated that the athletic trainers, coaches, and emergency personnel responded quickly to the situation. Initially, Shukla was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton for treatment, but due to the seriousness of his condition, he was later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Our thoughts and prayers are going out to Rohan, his parents Abhishek and Deepika, and his twin brother, Naman, during this incredibly difficult time,” the letter said. The school officials expressed their commitment to respecting the family’s privacy during this challenging period.
Both head coaches, Ben Shuffain from Sharon and John Sperrazza from Oliver Ames, have encouraged the community to show support for Shukla and his family. A GoFundMe page was established to assist with expenses, but the family has requested that it be shut down.
Reports indicate that Shukla’s injury required surgery, highlighting the severe nature of the incident. As the school plans to return to classes on Monday, Botelho and Keenan urged parents to discuss the situation with their children and promised that counselors would be available for the football team, cheerleading squad, staff, and community members to provide support and facilitate discussions about the emotional impact of the event.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with contact sports and the importance of safety measures in place during games.
