Opposing HS Football Players Hug It out After QB Suffers Head Injury

In many places throughout the country, high school sports take on an increasingly business-like complexion.

Wins and impressing scouts, as always, come first, with sportsmanship typically finding itself lost in the wash. 

High school is arguably the first level of sports where young athletes learn to despise the other team, which is why a recent happening at an Iowa high school football game caught so many observers off-guard.

A Friday night game between the Grundy Center Spartans and Wapsie Valley Warriors took on somber tones when Wapsie quarterback Andrew Buzynski collapsed on the field in the waning minutes of the game. Buzysnki would be taken off the field with a head injury. 

The sight left players shaken, and in a moment of unexpected empathy, Grundy Center players Jordan Graham and Jordan Stoner embraced Wapsie’s Jake Kulmann after the final whistle. 

Photography group JScott Images captured the sincere moment, which was made even more unlikely by the fact that Grundy Center had just lost, 21-17. 

Graham told KWWL’s Nikki Newbrough that he wanted his opponent to know that the Spartans would be pulling for his injured quarterback. 

“For a while we just sat there and embraced,” Graham said. “After a while I just let him know that us as the Spartans would be pulling for their community and praying for Andrew.”

Buzynski’s status remains unclear, although it appears he’s back home and recovering.

As for the sportsmanship displayed last Friday night, it was a remarkable scene by any measure. It proved respect between teams can be more than a high five after the game.

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