Northridge’s Mack Ponders Future in Football, Cause of Three Seizures

Cal State Northridge linebacker Teddy Mack, who was hospitalized for two days after suffering three mysterious seizures, said Wednesday he’s prepared to give up football, if necessary.

“Right now I’m not even thinking of coming back,” Mack said as he watched Northridge practice. “My health is more important than anything. . . . I almost lost my life. And I realized how precious life can be.”

Mack returned to class Wednesday, though he complained of drowsiness and nausea caused by his medication. He still is wondering what caused the seizures, which began about 3 a.m. Sunday.

Dr. Eric Sletten, Northridge’s team doctor, said the cause is not determined in most seizure cases. Sletten said all tests taken on Mack came back normal. Mack will be observed for four weeks before he can be cleared to play again, but neither he nor Sletten was optimistic.

“If it were my kid I wouldn’t want him to play football again, not this year,” Sletten said.

Mack, a 21-year-old senior who led the Matadors in tackles last season, said he would come back if cleared but won’t be upset if he’s not. He has a girlfriend he plans to marry and a 3-month-old daughter that are higher priorities.

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Too much emotion: To prepare for the UC Davis game, Cal State Northridge football Coach Dave Baldwin showed the Matadors film of their game last year against the Aggies and of their opener this year against Utah State. Baldwin made special note that Northridge players didn’t show much emotion after making big plays.

Perhaps the Matadors took the lesson too close to heart. Against Davis, Northridge received several penalties for taunting and talking back to game officials.

“I think our kids thought they were the Miami of small-college football, and we’re not,” Baldwin said.

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All worn out: The Ventura College women’s soccer team made a successful but exhausting run to the championship match of a tournament at Cuesta College last weekend.

The Pirates advanced to the title match by defeating four opponents by a combined score of 14-0. But after Ventura defeated Long Beach City on penalty kicks in a semifinal, the Pirates were ordered to immediately play Grossmont for the championship.

Ventura lost, 4-0, in the final.