Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) junior
Hayward Demison (6-1, 190) ran for a 45-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter, supplying what proved to be the winning points during a 28-24 football victory over
Canby (Ore.).
Instead of celebrating, however, he suffered a heart attack moments later and was fighting for his life,
according to a report in the Oregonian. Diagnosed with athletic asthma two years earlier, he called for his inhaler, but it didn’t help and he suddenly stopped breathing.
A cardiac nurse, Lisa Lyver, came out of the stands and administered CPR to revive the unconscious teenager who had not been breathing for two minutes.
“I’m just happy to be alive,” Demison told the Oregonian while resting at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. “The person that gave me CPR saved my life. I’m very thankful. I’m truly blessed. It was a close call.”
Tests revealed that Demison’s left coronary artery wasn’t sending enough blood to his heart during strenuous exercise and he will soon have corrective surgery. He is expected to be fully recovered in six months and hopes to play football again next year as a senior.
In his team's season-opening 38-19 loss to Lake Oswego, Demison rushed 14 times for 69 yards.
