Football: Big Bear’s Burnard recovering from head injuries
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Big Bear senior linebacker Sutton Burnard was released from the hospital Friday and is resting at home in the wake of severe head injuries suffered Sept. 26 in a game against San Jacinto, said Big Bear Coach Dave Griffiths.
Although the prognosis is for a complete recovery, Burnard, a captain, will not be able to play again this season after having surgery to remove part of his skull to alleviate swelling in his brain, Griffiths said. He is supposed to undergo a follow-up procedure to replace that part of the skull.
Griffiths said Burnard was in good spirits. ‘His goal was to get out of the hospital and be at home, and he’s achieved that goal,’ Griffiths said.
Big Bear coaches are still trying to determine exactly how Burnard was injured during the game. He reported not feeling well and was taken to Riverside Community Medical Center in Moreno Valley before losing consciousness and undergoing surgery.
Burnard is the second player in Southern California to be gravely injured because of head injuries in the last few weeks. Boron sophomore running back and safety Vinnie Rodriguez died Sept. 16 after being injured in a game four days earlier.
-- Ben Bolch