Goshen football team adds donation to support of hospitalized Blanchester player
The Goshen football team and athletic boosters put on a small fundraiser for Blanchester sophomore football player L.J. Rineair as the two rivals went head-to-head Friday night.
Blanchester tweeted about a moment of prayer the Warriors arranged for the teams before the game for Rineair, who remains in the hospital recovering from brain surgery. However, prayer wasn't the only way Goshen wanted to show support. The athletic boosters for the Warriors, led by Matt Bucksatch, sold blue glow sticks during the game and set aside all the profit for the rival player.
'Classy gesture': Blanchester thanks Goshen for supporting hospitalized player
The glow stick sales added up to $1,000, all of it donated directly to Rineair and his family from the Goshen community.
"We're a small community and we believe in taking care of each other and I think that whether we're on the same team or not. We're in the same league so it was important to us to show some solidarity," Goshen head coach Shane Elkins said Monday.
Blanchester's athletic director, Brad Ballinger, was personally appreciative of the solidarity. "Their entire community was very supportive of L.J. and his family. All this from one of our biggest rivals."
According to Elkins, Rineair is doing well but has a long road ahead of him. Elkins added that he and his team will continue to be supportive of any members of their community going through difficult times.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio high school football: Goshen fundraiser benefits rival family
