Three medical emergencies end football game early in Cabot

Officials halted a Cabot High School football game Friday following three separate medical emergencies at Panther Stadium. Both teams agreed to stop play after the incidents affected a coach, a player and a fan.

The matchup between Cabot and Little Rock Christian was initially placed on a minimum 30-minute delay. Medical personnel quickly responded to the three situations.

Off-duty paramedic Wes Bradley attended the game and jumped from the stands onto the field to help the coach.

“If they’re yelling for medic, it’s out of their scope,” Bradley said. “They don’t know what to do, so I was trying to be as helpful as soon as possible.”

Bradley said he checked with the on-duty paramedic to see if more assistance was needed. Another person then alerted them that someone was down in the stands.

The three emergencies happened in a short period of time. Players and coaches from both teams gathered on the field to pray together.

“I think it’s great that we all just collectively prayed together,” Cabot senior Patrick Bell said.

Coaches and administrators from both schools met to discuss the situation. School leaders later said football had become secondary. Both schools agreed to end the contest.

Little Rock Christian led 14-7 when play stopped. That score will stand as the final result.

Cabot parent Jennifer Bradley said continuing the contest did not feel appropriate. She noted that no player would want to finish play under those conditions.

Cabot also canceled its postgame activities, including the scheduled homecoming dance.

“Most people think it’s disrespectful that we would have a game where three people just collapse and then go dance,” Bell said.

The Cabot Public School District provided an update on Saturday. District officials thanked first responders, medical personnel, athletic trainers and staff who assisted.

The district said all three individuals were either home or continuing to recover. Bradley said that everyone doing well is the best outcome anyone could hope for.

Cabot Superintendent Michael Byrd, Athletic Director Scott Reed and Head Football Coach Lance Clark issued a joint statement. They praised the rapid response from medical teams and staff.

School leaders also thanked the Little Rock Christian community for supporting Cabot during the incidents.

School athletic departments and district administrators coordinate with local emergency medical services to manage safety protocols at large sporting events. When multiple health crises occur at a venue, officials prioritize patient care over athletic competition.

The district stated that Friday night showed that some things are much bigger than football.