Referee loses LEG after horror injury during a high school football scrimmage

Jim Abbott, a high school football referee in Cincinnati, had his leg amputated above the knee after a player accidentally collided with him during a scrimmage at Withrow High School on 14 August. The incident highlights the serious risks that can arise even during school-level contact sport, while Abbott has said he does not blame the player and wants to focus on rehabilitation.

Abbott, who has officiated high school matches for 30 years, suffered a broken leg and severe damage around a previous knee replacement, including ruptured blood vessels that cut off circulation. After emergency treatment at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and complications including blood loss, surgeons determined amputation was necessary; he is now expected to undergo inpatient physiotherapy and hopes to receive a prosthetic leg. A GoFundMe organised by his niece had raised more than $28,000 by Saturday, while Cincinnati Public Schools praised his long service.