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Montclair High School football player dies
(by Brian Smith - October 16, 2008)
Ryne Dougherty, a Montclair High School football player, died Wednesday evening due to complications from a critical injury he suffered during a game on Monday, according to Hackensack University Medical Center spokeswoman Nancy Radwin.
He was 16.
"The Montclair community extends its sympathy to the family," Schools Superintendent Frank Alvarez said. "Ryne was an admirable young man of whom we can all be proud."
Dougherty had collapsed on the field at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey and was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where doctors performed immediate surgery to reduce intracranial pressure stemming from a brain hemorrhage.
Despite doctors’ efforts, Dougherty did not regain consciousness.
Dougherty, a junior, was a starting linebacker for the junior varsity team and a participant on the varsity squad. As a sophomore, he competed for school’s the track and field team.
"The reason you coach is to coach kids like Ryne," said Ben Brennan, the junior varsity head football coach. Brennan is also the football program's psychologist. "He was a great kid. All the kids from school and the team loved him."
This season was Dougherty's third on the gridiron for the Mounties. Dougherty was attempting to make a tackle during a junior varsity game when he sustained his injury.
"We lost a great player in Ryne and a great friend. For me, he was someone who epitomizes what coaches want in an athlete," MHS varsity head coach Ed Lebida said.
The entire football program attended a meeting Thursday morning where Lebida urged his players to draw strength from each other.
"When they signed up to be part of the Montclair football program, they joined a family," Lebida said. "Ryne’s death is the lowest of the lows a family can go through, but they’ve got close to a hundred brothers they can grieve with.
"We’re also celebrating Ryne’s life. He really enjoyed being a kid and the sport of football."
In academics, Dougherty was a member of the school’s Civics and Government Institute, a three-year small learning community group that students enter in 10th grade. CGI students are given the opportunities to develop leadership skills while understanding their roles as functioning members of the community, state, country and world, according to the Montclair Public Schools Web site.
Through CGI, Dougherty volunteered for the United Way. He refurbished computers and delivered them to the less fortunate, Dougherty’s honors English teacher, Andrea McLaughlin, told The Record of Bergen County.
Friends and schoolmates posting on a Facebook page recalled Dougherty’s time in the school’s Radio Club. What began on Tuesday as a support site for Dougherty and a place for his friends to honor him is now, tragically, a remembrance page.
A public viewing for Dougherty will take place on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 South Park St., Montclair. A funeral service will be held on Monday at Christ Church, 66 Church St. in Montclair, at 11 a.m.
John Porcelli, the school's vice principal for athletics and student activities, said the varsity football game at Ridgewood High School is back on for tomorrow at 1 p.m. Montclair and Ridgewood school officials had shifted the game to Sunday at 2 p.m., but moved the game back to Saturday to accommodate Dougherty's viewing.
Times reporter Tanya Drobness contributed to this article.
| Comments (9) |
On November 25, 2008, christopher said:
I actually went to Montclair and played football there so many years ago along with my two younger brothers. I have two sons of my own now (Tyson 8yrs and Natai 5Yrs) that watch me play. They love the sport and want to go back to the states so they can play. I now play in Australia where youth football is years away from organization. Parents will always fear the worst when their children are concerned and rightfully so. I could never imagine the pain Ryan’s family is suffering. But no one is to blame. Technology has yet to catch up to an injury free environment. Every year however, new/safer gear is made available to the public to protect players of all ages. There are so many extreme steps that could have been taken to prevent this. But where do you start? Doctors get lots of education and training. School, like Montclair do have guide lines for injury in sport. Ryan’s passion for the game may have been greater then the average player. No one will ever be able to offer an injury free football game. Golf, oddly enough isn’t even safe. Have you ever heard of getting hit with a golf ball? All any of us can do is offer our prayers to the Dougherty family. My sons will continue to play sports and if they get the chance to play football (as much as they want to) I only hope they get the proper training to help minimize their injuries.
CSnagg
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On October 19, 2008, crystal said:
this is sooo sad one min he's on the feild an the next he's in the hospital dead.i feel sooo sad right now.my love goes out 2 the family an best friends dat loved him 2 death |
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On October 17, 2008, Stephanie said:
My son plays football for Blomfield High School. On Monday after my son's game, my fiance, who was at that game, called me and told me about the incident - it sent a chill through my body as i thought about that and of my son. I have been praying since then for Ryne's recovery and for his family. When i heard the news of his passing yesterday, i became very emotional as i thought about it and said, that could have been my son. Even though i don't know Ryne, i am still saddened about his passing, and i even cried a few tears. i am also a mother, and i could only imagine what his parents are going through.
Such a young life taken away from us - by what i have read, he was a great young man who had so much to offer to others, and could have had a promising future. Now Ryne is in a better place, no pain, no suffering, just happiness and peace.
To the Dougherty family my only console is to think of Ryne in the loving arms of GOD - he is at peace.
My prayers, and condolences to his family, friends, and team mates. Be strong, and remember all the good times with Ryne, which is probably how he would want it.
May GOD be with you |
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On October 16, 2008, J said:
What a sad story. My heart goes out to the family, friends and football team of Ryne.
Maybe he really wanted to play and pretended he was okay so that he could be cleared. This in not unsual for a young man who really wanted to play a sport he really loved.
How does a doctor clear a player to return so soon after a brain injury? Maybe the CAT Scan didn't show anything but because they usually don't, that's even more of a reason he should not have been cleared to play for a certain period of time.
Secondly, even if the doctor did clear him after a September 18th brain injury, shouldn't the athletic department have said we can't and will not let any player who suffers such an injury continue playing for the remainder of the season. This would allow healing time, especially since second injuries are so serious and usually CAT Scans and testing don't help much.
Someone said that Montclair High School should be totally vindicated. Sorry, I have to disagree with you. They should be totally liable for allowing an athlete to return to play such a sport immediately following a concussion. Where not talking golf here. There should be some rule that states that no athlete can play until at least 2-3 months after the injury. Just like if you don't have a certain grade point average, you can't play. MHS in my opinion is totally liable and charges should be filed against the entire athletic department and the district.
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On October 16, 2008, Dnice said:
My thoughts and prayers to the Doherty family. As a member of the Montclair family, we know the team upstairs has just added a great addition. God Speed |
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On October 16, 2008, hilreth said:
Although we have not met, but as a mother i can imagine the pain the parents are going through. You will be in my prayers, and my sympathy goes out to the family. God bless. |
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On October 16, 2008, J said:
My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Ryan. My son, a student at Montclair High, informed me today (when I asked if there was any news on how Ryan was doing)that Ryan had passed away. I can't imagine what the family, team and footbal community must be feeling, but Ryan is not suffering and in better place. A place where he can play football all day and all night, hit and tackle all he wants and still get all the GLORY. RIP Ryan, from what I read, you were a great kid and will be truly missed. |
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On October 16, 2008, Chantell said:
My family and friends will pary for the Doherty family, and his team mates please remeber that Ryne will all be with all of you. (god bless all our children) |
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On October 16, 2008, danielle said:
I DID NOT KNOW HIM BUT I WILL PRAY FOR THE FAMILY AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT KNOW HIM. EVERYBODY SAID THAT HE WAS A GOOD KID |
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