Buena Athlete Is Paralyzed After Stroke

VENTURA —  Buena High football player Jeff Larson is partially paralyzed after suffering a stroke Saturday night, eight days after he sustained what was believed to be a minor neck injury during a game.

Larson, 17, collapsed while working at Golf N’ Stuff in Ventura and was taken to Ventura County Medical Center. He was transported to UCLA Medical Center on Sunday and is in the intensive care unit.

Doctors believe a blood clot in the carotid artery in Larson’s neck cut off flow to the middle cerebral artery in his brain, causing the stroke. Blood-thinning medication was administered at Ventura County Medical Center on Saturday night, and Larson had a CT scan Sunday at UCLA.

“He’s having a really hard time,” said Vicky Larson, Jeff’s mother. “He’s in intensive care and there is paralysis on his left side.

“He was talking to us today. We’re just hoping everything goes well. He’s a fighter.”

Larson, a senior defensive end, played in Buena’s game Friday night against Hueneme without apparent problems, even recording a sack, Buena Coach Rick Scott said.

However, after a game the previous week against Newbury Park, Larson complained to his parents of headaches, blurred vision and a sore neck. Doctors now believe Larson tore the carotid artery during the game and that a blood clot formed at the point of the tear in the ensuing days, Vicky Larson said.

Scott said coaches were unaware of Larson’s injuries.

“He went through the whole week of practice and never said a thing,” Scott said. “Then he played well on Friday night.”