Mason Martin makes first public appearance since near-fatal injury
KARNS CITY — Nearly two years ago, as Mason Martin was motionless on the field at Karns City’s Diehl Stadium, it was uncertain whether or not he would even survive the week.
On Sunday night, June 20, Martin stood before a packed house at that very stadium for the “I Believe” vigil, his first public appearance since that life-changing day when he suffered a near-fatal injury during the opening game of the 2023 football season.
“If I've learned one thing over the last two years, it's that life can change in an instant,” said Mason’s father, Denny Martin. “We have no idea what tomorrow holds. Pick up that phone, make a call and let someone that's been on your mind know how much you love them.”
The mood of the event was one of prayer and celebration for the progress Mason has made in the past 22 months. It was a sharp contrast to the previous prayer vigil held at the stadium, two days after the game in which Mason collapsed, which was a night of tears.
“(We) gathered in this place, united in one cause, and that cause was to pray and ask God for a miracle,” said Pastor Pete Sapp, of Trinity Reformed Church in Bradys Bend. “We weren’t given one giant great big miracle, but instead, we were given many smaller miracles.”
Mason himself, still wheelchair-bound, was unable to speak at the event, as he hasn’t been able to recover that ability yet.
“He still needs assistance with just about everything,” Denny Martin told the Butler Eagle before the event. “But that assistance is getting less and less. It’s not nearly as difficult as it used to be. He's improving, but he still needs assistance with a lot of things.”
Denny Martin’s speech concentrated on the three-day period immediately following Mason’s injury.
According to him, he and his wife, Stacy, were sitting on opposite sides of the stadium for that game in September 2023. The fateful play occurred shortly after the opposing team, Redbank Valley, scored a touchdown and Mason went onto the field to line up for the ensuing kickoff return.
When Denny saw Mason collapse, he initially believed his son had suffered a recurrence of leg cramps, which he had been complaining about from the previous week.
“I received a text from Stacy that said, ‘Are you going down there?’” he said. “I responded, ‘For cramps?’ She responded instantly, ‘Concussion. He was staggering, and then he fell down.’”
It was more severe than that.
Eventually, a LifeFlight helicopter was called. It wasn’t until just before he was placed into the ambulance to be taken to the helicopter that the seriousness of the situation dawned on him.
“When I first saw him it was complete disbelief,” Martin said. “When I got in the ambulance, the first thing I did was pray. I said, ‘God, there’s no ultimatum here. But right now, we need you.’ And I kept repeating, ‘We need you.’”
On the way to the hospital, two events took place which Denny considered to be nothing short of miraculous. First a last-minute decision was made to send Mason to UPMC Presbyterian instead of Allegheny General Hospital. Second, the nurse who was on duty the night that Mason was admitted to Presbyterian — Dr. Tara Jayde Nail — wasn’t even supposed to be on duty that night, as it was her weekend off. He said that she and the Martin family formed a close bond with her and the rest of the team at UPMC who worked with Mason during his recovery.
“She devoted her life to saving and caring for Mason, and in doing so she saved two lives,” Denny said.
Once at the hospital, the Martins were told that Mason had a slim chance to live and only because he was relatively young.
Over the next nine months, Mason and his father endured a long and painful road to recovery, in which Mason’s condition fluctuated. Along the way, Stacy Martin succumbed to cancer in October 2023.
Finally, in June 2024, Mason Martin returned home from hospital care.
Prior to the event, Sapp, the opening speaker, reminded everyone that this was not the end of his story.
“After nearly two years of hard work, he comes back to us in a chair,” Sapp said. “And one day, I promise you that he will return to this field on two feet, so that we get to hear the end of this story. We’re at the middle, folks.”
While admission to the stadium was free, the Martin family welcomed donations for the recently-introduced Stacy Martin Service Award, a $2,000 scholarship award which is given to one graduating Karns City senior per year.
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A large flag was flown over the football stadium during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The crowd rises to their feet as Mason Martin enters the football field for the first time since his incident during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin enters the field with the help of Levi Wissinger, Taite Beighley, and Tyler Hutchison for the first time since his incident as cheerleaders welcome hm during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin enters the field with the help of Levi Wissinger, Taite Beighley, and Tyler Hutchison for the first time since his incident as cheerleaders welcome hm during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin enters the field with the help of Levi Wissinger, Taite Beighley, and Tyler Hutchison for the first time since his incident as cheerleaders welcome hm during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin enters the field with the help of Levi Wissinger, Taite Beighley, and Tyler Hutchison for the first time since his incident as cheerleaders welcome hm during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Community members rejoice as Mason Martin returned to the Karns City football field during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Community members rejoice as Mason Martin returned to the Karns City football field during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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T-shirts with Mason Martin’s favorite Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 are worn by several attendees during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A woman prays as “Praise you in This Storm” is sung by Isabel Valesek during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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“Praise you in This Storm” is sung by Isabel Valesek during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks at members of his football team during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin raises his fist as he talks about the strength of his son Mason during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGrw/Butler Eagle
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Deb King becomes emotional during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks over at his sisters and niece during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks over at his sisters and niece during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks over at his sisters and niece during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks onto the football field he once played on as his dad Denny Martin recounts the events of the day when his son Mason was injured during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks over at his sisters and niece during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin looks over at his sisters and niece during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin along with the others in attendance hold hands during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGrw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin’s family holds hands as they pray during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin’s football teammates hold hands as they pray during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin is greeted by several in attendance after an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin holds his grandma Nancy Martin’s hand after the “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGrw/Butler Eagle
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Mason Martin holds his grandma Nancy Martin’s hand after the “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGrw/Butler Eagle
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Taite Beighley become emotional during an “I Believe” community event held at Diehl Stadium at Karns City High School on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
