The family of a Geneseo football player who collapsed during a game is speaking out after Damar Hamlin’s injury

GENESEO, NY A Geneseo High School football player who was seriously injured during a game last September is still recovering. New10NBC spoke with his mother to get her thoughts on Bills player Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during the game.

“If I could, with all my heart, I would hug Damari’s mom because I feel her pain,” Melissa Kretchmer said. “Been there, done that. And I’ve been sitting there waiting for him for what seemed like forever.”

In September – Melissa Kretchmer’s son Julian Huffman – was in the middle of a football game when he suddenly collapsed. He ended up at Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. They performed CPR on the football field.

You can imagine the heartbreak he felt — hearing about Bill’s safety with Damar Hamlin’s injury — brings back memories after Julian was seriously injured on the field.

– I was shocked for 20 minutes straight. I ugly cried on my couch while the rest of my family slept because it was just a trigger. I couldn’t do it. And it just flashbacked what happened to my son on the football field.”

Melissa says Julian had no contact before he collapsed… and thanks to a quick medical team – he was able to finish the season with his teammates. Now the doctors say – no more football.

“He was a little upset at first. He was told he would never be able to play contact sports again. Every meet we’ve gotten to that point.”

But she says Julian has always been a role model for her three-year-old brother Brayden, who obviously loves the game.

– My younger son wants to be like his older brother, so he wants to play. And now I’m not going to stop him. Well, I get near fatal heart attacks watching him play, probably.

And despite the risks that come with any sport – he says he knows coaches do everything they can to protect their players.

“I will not stop my children from wanting to realize their dreams. That’s what they do. All I can do is be their biggest supporter. I’m there at every turn.”

Julian is back on the mend and doing well. His mother says after talking with his neurosurgeon, they still don’t have a reason for his injury. He says that for now, Julian is focused on getting into the military and they are also sending their prayers to the Hamlin family.