Sweet Home High School football player honored at homecoming game after death

SWEET HOME, Ore. (KPTV) - A Sweet Home High School football player who died from an on-field injury was honored during Friday’s homecoming game.

Remembering number 8 — Mason Flores.

Flowers, signs, and pictures filled this space at Husky Stadium Friday night during the homecoming football game, honoring the teen.

Flores suffered a severe brain injury during a junior varsity home football game on September 28. Doctors say he experienced a seizure and a brain bleed.

Flores died on Monday, which was his 16th birthday.

“For me it just feels like, I’ll just see him tomorrow; it’s just hard realizing we’re never going to see him again,” said childhood friend Jaxson Burke.

Burke and friend Gavin Duran said Flores was a one-of-a-kind friend and always loved to make people laugh.

“One of the funniest people in the room at all times. He was pretty smart in school and always fun to be around,” said Burke.

For Duran, Flores was one of the first friends he met when he moved to Sweet Home a few years ago.

“He was always pretty kind and hardworking and always willing to hang out and stuff,” said Duran.

The friends admired Flores when it came to football. They say Flores had a love for the game and share that their friend started playing the sport at a young age.

“I played with him in fifth and seventh grade, and it was a lot of fun playing with him because he was pretty good at it all through his life and just really passionate for the sport,” said Burke.

During halftime, the Sweet Home Huskies brought out a banner to honor the 16-year-old.

Flores’ impact continues even after death. Loved ones tell FOX 12 that through organ donation, he will give others the gift of life to at least five people.

“I just hope he knows I’ll always love him and I’ll see him someday,” said Burke.