For the people who knew Mason Flores at Sweet Home High School, the memories they want to hold onto begin with his personality, his love of football, and the way he made others feel. The young Husky died Monday, October 5, on his 16th birthday, after a serious head injury during a football game the previous week. Now, as his family and teammates grieve, his loved ones have announced plans for organ donation in the hope that other families might be helped.

The family has asked that Mason’s life remain at the heart of the way he is remembered. In its public tribute, the Sweet Home football program described a young person whose smile and presence meant a great deal to those around him. The team also expressed its concern for his loved ones, players, and coaches as they face the loss together, according to KATU’s reporting.

A football injury and a family’s difficult days

Mason was injured during a September 28 home game, KPTV reported. His family’s account describes a blow to the head followed by a seizure and a brain bleed. He was flown to a Portland-area hospital for emergency brain surgery, beginning several days of uncertainty for his mother and the people close to him.

Rebecca Burgin, who organized a fundraiser for the family, initially described Mason receiving intensive care while his condition remained uncertain. Subsequent reporting confirmed that he did not recover from his injury. His family announced plans for organ donation in hopes of helping other people. Details about transplant recipients have not been publicly confirmed.

Remembering Mason in Sweet Home and beyond

At school, the loss comes during homecoming week, a time ordinarily set aside for students to gather and celebrate their community. Superintendent Terry Martin said the scheduled activities would continue with the family’s support as a way to honor Mason, Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported. Martin’s message encouraged people to carry forward the family’s wish that Mason be remembered through the happiness and connection he brought to their lives.

Concern for the family has reached beyond Sweet Home’s own football program. University of Oregon head coach Dan Lanning began his Monday press conference by acknowledging Mason’s family and teammates, according to Lookout. Speaking as a father whose sons also play football, he recognized the heartbreak of the loss and the importance of keeping the family in mind.

On Tuesday, October 6, police and firefighters escorted Mason’s body back to Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, KPTV reported. Michael Duran, a family friend whose son had known Mason since seventh grade, spoke to the station about how close Mason had become to his own family. His recollections centered on Mason’s warmth and personality, the everyday qualities that made him much more than a name on a football roster.

How to support the family and find help

People who want to assist Mason’s family can find the GoFundMe organized by Rebecca Burgin. Burgin identifies herself as the employer of Mason’s mother, Jenna Anderson, and says the money is intended to help with medical and living expenses. The campaign began while Mason was hospitalized and retains its original recovery-focused title, so readers should consult its updates for the family’s latest information.

In the fundraiser update shared by KATU, the family thanked the people who had brought meals, offered assistance, sent messages, and shared memories. That gratitude describes support that reaches beyond a donation total, encompassing the practical help and companionship people have offered during these difficult days. For anyone wishing to respond, the family’s own fundraiser provides a direct place to start.

Sweet Home School District has said counselors and support staff will be available during the week for students and employees. Superintendent Martin has also encouraged people to check on one another and recognize that grief can look different from person to person, KPTV reported. Students and families seeking support can turn to those school resources or contact local services.

Linn County Health Services currently lists its round-the-clock crisis phone number as 458-309-7564; people can also call or text 988. Young people can reach YouthLine by calling 877-968-8491, texting teen2teen to 839863, or using the service’s online chat. YouthLine serves people ages 10 through 24, and its website explains the support it offers.

Sweet Home’s football program has asked people to keep Mason’s family, teammates, and coaches in their thoughts as they navigate the loss. His family’s request is just as personal: remember the humor, the affection, and the boy whose company they treasured. Sharing those memories and offering practical help are ways for the community to stand beside the people who loved him.