Close call on football field becomes life-saving lesson

Cohasset cocaptain sought proper care

Derek Schwantner, center, watches his teammates from the sideline. (Robert E. Klein/Globe Correspondent)

COHASSET - Derek Schwantner developed a reputation among his Cohasset High football teammates for having a high tolerance for pain. A hit to his knee once generated a bruise so impressive his teammates crowded around to wonder aloud how he kept his cool.

So the day Dana Valentine watched his friend and teammate grimace in pain hours after a rough hit during an Aug. 26 scrimmage against Hingham, he was concerned.

Schwantner, a senior tight end and team captain, was blocking the defensive end when an elbow inadvertently hit him in the Adam's apple. The impact forced Schwantner's head to snap back and dropped him to the ground.

While the event sounds traumatic, to those watching and to Schwantner himself it hardly seemed serious. He walked off the field and sat on the bench. His father, Jim Schwantner, kept a close eye on his son while Cohasset coach Pete Afanasiw knelt down to talk with Derek.

Schwantner massaged his throat and told his coach he felt like it was cut. Aside from one small trace of blood, Schwantner and his coaches weren't concerned. He sat out a few plays and returned for the last few minutes of the game.

No one realized that the elbow had caused a freak injury, usually seen in car accidents. Schwantner had a tear in his esophagus that was no more than 3 centimeters long, but if left untreated it could have threatened his life.

"I don't know how it turned out to be such a big deal," Schwantner said.

Following the scrimmage, Schwantner struggled to swallow liquids. The pain was more than he had ever experienced. When he arrived home, he and Valentine were talking when Schwantner attempted to swallow a piece of licorice. The awkward look on his face told Valentine he was uncomfortable.

"He doesn't show any pain, and this time you could see how much pain he was in," Valentine said.

Schwantner told his father he wanted to go to the hospital. He went with his parents and his 14-year old sister, Carly, to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.

The doctors discovered something odd - little pockets of air could be felt on Schwantner's neck like pieces of Rice Krispies.

He was immediately transferred by ambulance to Children's Hospital in Boston.

His mother, Derry Schwantner, was unsure of what to make of her middle child's condition.

"No one ever said it could stop his heart from beating," she said. "Not knowing turned out to be a good thing, because I probably would have had a heart attack."

Bradley Linden was the trauma surgeon on call that night at Children's and was part of a large team that took on Schwantner's case. Schwantner had arrived on an educational day at Children's, and his case was the subject for many residents. Many eyes peered over his charts and X-rays.

By the next day, Schwantner was stable, but doctors were concerned that a critical infection could develop, and they opted for surgery. They removed fluid that may have seeped out of the open wound in his esophagus and sutured it closed.

During the four-hour operation, teammates, friends, and family crowded the hospital room. The Schwantners had moved to Cohasset 12 years ago from New York with their children Alex, a 2006 Cohasset graduate, Derek, and Carly.

The hospital staff came out with frequent updates.

"You just felt like you were at the best hospital with the best doctors and the most caring people," Jim Schwantner said.

Teammate Dean Driscoll made frequent trips to Boston to see his friend. He described Schwantner as a funny kid who may seem quiet, but can keep his teammates laughing.

When the surgery ended, there was relief, but everyone still had to wait for the word that any threat of infection was gone.

Schwantner wanted to surprise his teammates for the first game of the season. He arrived at Quincy's Veterans Memorial Stadium wearing his number 13 jersey and rooted his teammates to a 28-27 win.

Schwantner continues to heal and is grateful for his life, especially after hearing how on-field injuries have taken the lives of football players across the country this year, including Holliston High junior lineman Joseph Larracey, who died after being hit in the chest during a scrimmage this month.

"I got really lucky," he said.

Derry Schwantner said she prefers that her son stay on the sidelines this season.

"I look forward to football season as much as he did," she said, "but to have this happen, I can't help but feel it would be irresponsible to let him go on the field."

His surgeon also thinks Schwantner should sit out the season, so that his wound has time to heal.

A lesson can be learned from these types of situations, said Linden. No matter how small a problem seems, athletes should be like Schwantner and ask for further evaluation from a doctor. Linden is now writing up the case for publication, as an example of the type of injury that can occur playing football.

Jim Schwantner said he is unsure how he feels about watching his son play football again. But he is thankful.

"It's a gift that we get to keep him."

Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com.