Colby Involved in Jarring Hits

Game tapes released Wednesday by the Newport-Mesa School District show Costa Mesa linebacker Matt Colby absorbing and delivering several jarring hits during the team’s last three games.

Colby, 17, was playing against Huntington Beach Ocean View High Friday, when he took himself out, walked to the sideline and collapsed. He never regained consciousness.

A cause of death has not been released. Colby’s persistent headaches after the two earlier games, and whether he suffered an injury that could have contributed to his death, are among questions school officials are examining. In a review of the Sept. 15 game against Westminster, Colby was involved in 46 defensive plays, and appeared to lead with his head while making a tackle or hit four times. During one play, Colby missed a tackle then turned and dove into the fallen player a second later. A broadcaster could be heard calling the tackle a “crash into the receiver.”

Afterward, Colby appeared stunned briefly as he paused on his hands and knees, and looked awkward and sluggish the rest of the first half.

Late in the Sept. 21 game against Centennial High of British Columbia, Colby was given a rare chance to play offense. On a reverse, he was hit by a defensive back after a 13-yard gain and flew about 10 feet out of bounds. He did not return to the game.

A review of the game tapes will be part of a larger investigation by Alvarez & Associates of Alta Loma, which has been hired by the school district, risk-management director Connie Duddridge said.

“We have launched an investigation,” she said, calling it standard procedure after a death or serious injury. “It’s good practice to make sure the appropriate procedures were followed.”

Those likely to be interviewed include coaches, administrators, trainers and medical personnel. Colby had been held out of contact drills last week and was cleared for game action by his personal doctor, school officials said. He also had to pass basic neurological checks, Duddridge said.

There are no medical guidelines regarding the return-to-play issue, said Dr. David Hovda, a UCLA professor of neurosurgery.

“I’m always very devastated when this happens with high school players,” he said, pointing out he had not seen any of Colby’s medical records. “ ... The issue is how long do you keep somebody out? And the question is, if they’re symptom free, does that mean that the brain is not vulnerable anymore? ... We recommend people stay out of play one week following the complete alleviation of signs or symptoms.”

Colby was back on the first day he told friends his symptoms had disappeared. Films from the Ocean View game showed Colby participating in 12 defensive plays and two kickoffs before leaving the field. He made two consecutive head-on tackles on the first series.

During the second series, he can be seen appearing to take a step toward the sideline, but turned back. He pumped his fists and settled into a defensive stance. As the camera follows the play, Colby can be seen heading to the sideline. He complained of a headache and tingling in his arms and legs before he collapsed, officials said.