BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Ben Hamm, a high school junior at Wesleyan Christian School, has died after sustaining a head injury at a football game earlier this month.
Superintendent Rocky Clark said Sunday that classes are suspended on Monday. He says counselors and youth pastors will be available when classes resume Tuesday.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Hamm's father says:
"Ben has entered his forever home this morning. Words from Steve: Ben's condition has deteriorated overnight because of a lack of oxygen in his blood and this morning I am saddened to let you know that the world has lost a spiritual warrior! He has been gathered to his people and we will see him again soon on the other side. Misti and I have been humbled and in awe of the amount of response Ben has received in prayers. Please understand how much comfort that has been to us. If we could ask anything more of you it would be for prayers of comfort and to never stop believing in the one true God, for His name has been praise through all of this!!! Praise the name of Jehovah our God!!! He reigns forever!!!"
Hamm scored a touchdown for his team during a game on September 11, but took a hard hit during the next play.
Head Coach Nathan England says they were keeping Hamm in a medically induced coma to lower pressure in his head after he underwent surgery.
Hamm's sudden death rocked the entire community. Folks near and far are showing their support for all of Bartlesville.
It's a tragic loss that one other Wesleyan family knows all too well.
“We lost our son this year to terminal brain cancer,” said Jeff Green. “He had a glioblastoma.”
Mason Green was also a student at Wesleyan Christian, and his death was devastating.
“It's just a bad feeling,” said Green. “There's nothing you can do about it except keep on going.”
Green hopes Ben's family finds peace and comfort knowing the rally will always be there, even when times get tough.
The Depew football team honored Hamm by putting number 28 on their helmets Friday night. They also raised money and collected snacks to bring to family members in the hospital.
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