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The Highland Home community is praying for one on their own tonight. Nick Diaz, Highland Home Squadron quarterback, had to be life-flighted Thursday afternoon.

Diaz’s spleen was ruptured when he caught a football and landed on it during PE.  He was life-flighted to Baptist South Hospital where the bleeding slowed.  According to sources close to the family, Diaz is being monitored closely. The family heard from surgeons today that surgery may not been needed. The doctors are hoping Diaz will be able to keep his spleen due to his age and the possibility of infections for the rest of his life if the spleen were removed.

Diaz will continue to be monitored and blood count watched closely. He will not be allowed to play any contact sports for at least three months. He will need to protect his spleen from any hard contact, allowing it to heal.  After three months, Diaz will be re-evaluated, and a new CT scan performed to check on his progress and see if sports will be an option in the future.

The spleen is part of the lymphatic system. This system fights infections and keeps body fluids in balance. The spleen itself serves as blood storage, filters the blood, and fights infection. Since other organs in the body do some of these same tasks, it is possible that a person can live a healthy life without a spleen.

The family and community is asking for continued prayers for Diaz as he recovers. Please, no hard hugs when he is back home!

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Correction: Diaz was not life-flighted from practice. Diaz was life-flighted from Crenshaw Hospital in Luverne, AL.