Devastating Brain Injury Ends High-School Prospect’s Career in Massachusetts; Thanksgiving Ends With Tragedy

Thanksgiving took a heartbreaking turn this year, spotlighting a harsh reality in the football world—injuries are becoming way too common, even for high schoolers. With millions of teens suiting up every year, stats show 1 in 1,000 faces serious injury. And sadly, some are life-changing. Sharon High School’s traditional Turkey Day game ended in tragedy when a young football prospect suffered a severe head injury. Now, the community is rallying around his family, proving that even in tough times, support runs deep. It’s a sobering reminder of the risks players face chasing their gridiron dreams.

After suffering injuries on the field and then passing out on the sidelines, sophomore prospect Rohan Shukla was taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital and subsequently moved to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, according to officials. And he is receiving treatment at Mass General right now. On top of that, the officials declared the game “terminated” right away as coaches, trainers, and emergency workers raced to Shukla’s aid.

One eyewitness to the entire situation stated, “Obviously it was a very sad event and it was very painful to see one of our brothers get hurt, one of our brothers go down.” Shayak Saha, the linebacker for Sharon High who stood on the court when Shukla passed out on the Sharon sideline, made this statement. “We all know he’s a very strong kid, we’re all there for him right now. The whole community is praying for him, keeping him in our thoughts. So as sad as it is, we all know he is going to push through because he’s a very strong kid,” he added.

Rohan had been having a great season, ranking in the top 18 in the Hockomock-Keley/Rex league and top 75 in Division 3. Given his strong performance, it’s easy to believe Shayak’s claim that Rohan is a strong and healthy child. But there is still a question regarding what the school will do next. The athletic director’s statement from the school might make it apparent.

School’s take on the HS prospect’s injury

The athletic director of the school posted a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are going out to Rohan, his parents Abhishek and Deepika, and his twin brother Naman during this incredibly difficult time. While offering our heartfelt support, we respect the family’s privacy and consideration. As we learn more about Rohan’s condition, we will share it with our concerned community as appropriate.” As of Sunday, donations have been stopped from a GoFundMe that had raised over $25,000.

Safe to say, Counselors will be available at Sharon High School to support the school’s cheer squad and football team, according to school officials. Right now, we’ll wait for Shukla’s injury update. We all hope Rohan recovers soon and gets back on the field. But brain injuries are no joke, so we’ll have to wait long for some positive updates.