In an unfortunate turn of events, a promising young football player from Long Island, New York, is battling for his life following a sudden collapse on the field, a result of what has been identified as a “cardiac event.”

Robert Bush, 17, had barely made his way onto the turf on Monday afternoon before he unexpectedly keeled over, says his elder brother, Steve Bush.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, coaches on-site reacted swiftly to administer CPR and defibrillator aid, in a commendable show of on-field emergency response.

However, despite these heroic efforts, and the further interventions at a proximate hospital, the young athlete has yet to regain consciousness. Reports suggest that he did not receive any blood flow to his brain for at least 45 minutes, creating a dire situation.

The Bush family, while grappling with the tragic turn of events, suspects a hereditary condition may be the root cause, as reported by Newsday. The condition, known to cause thickening of the wall of the left ventricle, can eventually inhibit the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.

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An understandably heartbroken Steve Bush shared on Thursday, “There’s no more brain function. We are dealing with the end right now.”

Robert’s football journey started as a means to bolster his physical fitness. With a shorter stature, he earned the nickname “Rudy,” humorously given by his elder brother as an affectionate nod to the undersized Notre Dame legend who inspired the 1993 film of the same name.

As Steve revealed, “He’s a shorter kid, so we always told him, ‘You’re like the Rudy.”

Part of a large family, Robert was one among eleven children adopted by Robert and Patricia Bush. A single parent since the loss of his wife to cancer in 2017, Robert Bush senior confided his deep anguish to Newsday over his son’s present predicament.

Speaking of his son, Robert said, “He was just like all his older siblings. He wanted to get married. He wanted to have kids like all of us. So, as you can tell, knowing where he was in his life and how far he’s taken it just in the last two years, it’s killing us.”

In the face of such adversity, the Bush family’s strength in unity is a testament to the human spirit. Their story serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the inherent value of cherishing every moment.