By Khalida Sarwari
The father and physician of a San Jose High Academy student who suffered a serious brain injury during a Thanksgiving Day football game will discuss his condition in San Jose Friday.
Sixteen-year-old Matthew Blea was injured when he collided with another player during the “Big Bone” game against Lincoln High School at San Jose City College on Nov. 26.
Blea underwent brain surgery and has been in an induced coma since to allow his brain to heal, said San Jose Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Fuqua.
He remains in critical condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. However, “his progression has been good … all signs so far have been positive,” Fuqua said.
His father, David Blea, and Dr. Marc Lee will share additional details about his condition at 10:45 a.m. Friday at Valley Medical Center, 751 South Bascom Ave.
The junior linebacker and running back has received an outpouring of support from the community and especially his teammates and classmates who pack the waiting room as soon as they’re off school, Fuqua said. Most of the time they don’t leave until they are forced to go home.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” she said.
San Jose High Academy’s Parent Teacher Student Association will hold a cake bake-off sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the high school’s cafeteria. Proceeds will be donated to the Matt Blea fund.
Donations can also be sent to San Jose High Academy, 275 North 24th St., San Jose.