It’s Not the Score That Mattered

Usually, my job doesn’t involve writing about death. Mostly, I tell the stories of high school athletes trying to make a difference. Often, they are days filled with fun and laughter.

That hasn’t been the case this week.

It’s Friday night, and Costa Mesa High is playing its first football game since the death of 17-year-old Matt Colby, a happy-go-lucky senior defensive end who wore Mickey Mouse socks under his cleats.

Teammates, fans, coaches and relatives have had a week to comfort each other and start the healing process, offering lots of hugs and tears.

Colby collapsed during a game Sept. 28, shortly after taking himself out of the lineup. A short time later, he lost consciousness and never woke up. No one knows the cause of his death. Autopsy results are pending.

He had complained of headaches after games Sept. 15 and Sept. 21.

Even in death, Colby has been taking hits. There was speculation that his tackling technique was deficient. One newspaper reported that he had used creatine, what some experts consider a dangerous strength-building supplement, while playing for another school, Costa Mesa Estancia, last year.

The search is on for an answer. The cause of his death will probably be known in another month, when results of his autopsy are revealed.

On this night, when his teammates have chosen to take a first tentative step in moving on with their lives, it’s appropriate to examine Colby’s legacy.

Everything pales in comparison to the courageous decision of his mother, Kelli, to donate his organs to help others live.

Three adults and two children were the recipients of Colby’s kidneys, pancreas and parts of his liver, according to Tom Mone, chief executive of OneLegacy, the federally designated organ procurement organization in Southern California.

“His donation gave the opportunity to improve or save the lives of five people,” Mone said.

Colby’s death has educated parents, players and coaches about the need to take seriously the slightest signs of a head injury.

There is a renewed sense of caution in dealing with injuries. Playing with pain remains part of football, but common sense has taken over.

Colby has joined former Fountain Valley lineman Steven “Scotty” Lang in alerting everyone that safety concerns can’t be overlooked.

Lang died in 1999 after collapsing during a practice. A coroner’s report revealed he had an enlarged heart. Since then, his family has encouraged other players to have more thorough medical exams.

Costa Mesa players took the field Friday night against Whittier Christian wearing a No. 9 decal on their helmet, Colby’s jersey number.

A patch sewn onto each jersey above the heart in the shape of a football displayed No. 9 and No. 56, Colby’s number last season at Estancia. A banner that covered the bottom of the press box read, “Colby lives on.”

Colby’s mother, three uncles, grandmother and grandfather were escorted onto the field at Newport Harbor High in an emotional pregame coin toss. Bobby Arroyo, a Costa Mesa player in street clothes, walked out Colby’s dog, Chucky, on a leash.

Players from both teams lined up in the middle of the field as the stadium descended into total silence. After the coin toss, Costa Mesa players huddled near the north end zone and began chanting, “Colby, Colby, Colby.”

While much focus has been on how Costa Mesa was handling the tragedy, the Mustangs’ opponent, Whittier Christian also felt the loss.

Coach Mike Roark’s wife, Jennifer, serves as the cheerleader coach at Costa Mesa. The long scheduled game was supposed to be a “fun deal” for the Roark family.

“Now it’s a brutal one,” the Whittier Christian coach said. “I’d give up every win we’ve ever had to get [Colby] back. They’re in our prayers every day. I’ve been playing and coaching since 1966 and I’ve never had a game like this. It’s hard to keep them focused.”

Roark senses a change in players’ attitudes.

“What’s hitting the kids is they’re seeing their mortality,” he said. “They’re not Superman.”

Several Costa Mesa players didn’t suit up because they couldn’t devote their full attention to practice this week.

But it’s important they get back to playing football and not have any fear. The sport remains relatively safe if rules are followed, equipment is checked and injuries are monitored.

Costa Mesa returned to a semblance of normality with its 42-11 victory over Whittier Christian.

Players tackled hard, coaches coached, parents cheered.

It was something everyone desperately needed.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com