The high school football season is a Friday night tradition that brings families and communities together across the country, including right here on the Suncoast. But in Alma Center, Wisconsin, that tradition turned to tragedy this weekend. Adam Massman, a 17-year-old senior quarterback and defensive back for Alma Center Lincoln, passed away Saturday from an injury he sustained during Thursday night’s game. He received emergency care on the field before being rushed to a hospital, but he could not be saved.
Massman was more than just a football player. He was a three-sport athlete who also excelled in basketball and baseball, and he earned academic all-state honors in the classroom. His mother works as an elementary school counselor in the same district, a fact that makes this loss feel even more personal for the tight-knit school community. Superintendent Drew Semingson acknowledged the grief, saying, “This loss touches our Lincoln family in many ways.”
Already, tributes are pouring in. Teammates have painted Massman’s school parking spot with the letters “LLA” for “Long Live Adam.” A family friend, Megan Steussel, shared a poignant message that has resonated far beyond Wisconsin: “Tell your kids you love them. Tell your kids’ friends you love them.” It’s a simple reminder for all of us, whether we’re watching our own kids play under the lights in Sarasota or following this story from our living rooms. How do you talk to your family about loss and safety in youth sports? Share your thoughts with us.
