Wisconsin High School Football Player Dies at 17 After Game Injury
A Wisconsin community is mourning the death of 17-year-old high school football player Adam J. Massman, who died two days after being injured during a game.
Massman, a senior at Lincoln Junior/Senior High School in Alma Center, Wisconsin, was playing quarterback when he was injured during his team’s game against Turtle Lake on Thursday, Aug. 20.
According to his mother, Brianne Massman, Adam suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit during the game.
Emergency medical workers immediately responded at the field, and Adam was transported to a hospital for further treatment.
Despite efforts to save him, he died two days later, on Saturday, Aug. 22.
School district superintendent Drew Semingson confirmed the heartbreaking news to the school community.
The tragedy has left Adam’s family, teammates, classmates and the surrounding communities devastated.
Remembered as More Than an Athlete
Adam’s life extended far beyond football.
His family described him as a hardworking son, brother and friend who cared deeply about the people around him.
He competed in football, basketball, baseball, golf and track, while also having a passion for showing cattle.
On the football field, he had become an important part of the Lincoln Red Raiders.
During the previous season, Adam recorded 1,138 total yards. He threw for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for another 280 yards and three touchdowns.
He also recorded 12 total tackles and an interception.
The Aug. 20 game was supposed to be another step in his senior season.
Instead, it became the final game of his life.
A Family Left Heartbroken
Following Adam’s death, his family created a fundraiser after receiving messages from people asking how they could help.
More than $19,000 had been raised toward a $24,000 goal in the latest update.
The money will help the Massman family through the difficult days ahead, with the family also hoping to eventually use some of the support to help others in Adam’s memory.
His loved ones have encouraged people to remember Adam not only for the tragedy surrounding his final game, but for the way he lived.
They want people to remember his kindness, determination, hard work and loyalty to his friends and family.
A Community Remembers
Adam was born June 17, 2009, and died Aug. 22, 2026, at just 17 years old.
His obituary gives friends, classmates, teammates and relatives the opportunity to share memories, photographs and messages in his honor.
For those who knew him, the loss is about much more than a football player.
His teammates lost their quarterback.
His classmates lost a friend.
His parents lost their son.
And his brother lost his sibling.
A senior year that should have been filled with football games, school memories and plans for the future has instead become a time of mourning.
Adam’s family hopes his memory will live on through the people he touched and through the simple values they say he represented:
Work hard. Be a good friend. Never give up hope.