'It's a long time waiting': Mom of Elijah Gorham talks bill, student-athlete safety
The Elijah Gorham Act will go into effect on Friday. It is named after a Mervo High School student who died after sustaining a head injury during a football game last September.
Shantres Shaw, Gorham's mother, spoke with 11 News Thursday about the act meant to protect student-athletes and the impact on student safety.
"It's a long time waiting. It should've been effective," Shaw said.
Shaw said her son was a great young man.
"He was focused, he was loyal, he was his brother's keeper, he was a friend to many," she said.
The act requires all Maryland public middle and high schools to have venue-specific emergency action plans and coordination of care for other emergent injuries.
It's something that Shaw has worked hard for.
"A lot of young men will know that they will be protected for something they love. A passion of sports, football, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, little league and their fellow brothers that have been touched by my son's tragedy," Shaw said.
Earlier this year, Baltimore City Public Schools said it will hire more athletic trainers, add a new position to enhance health and safety practices, train more coaches and athletes in the areas of heat stroke, as well as traumatic brain injury prevention.
"Having those things implemented prevents our young men and our children's young women from being in danger. Any sport you play is dangerous, so we want to make sure we are able to act fast," Shaw said.
Shaw showed her son's bedroom to 11 News. On the walls are a sea of pictures illustrating Gorham's life. His jerseys were on his bed and in a glass case was his championship ring.
Shaw established the 7Strong Foundation. It is a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the safety of student-athletes.
She said her son's life is her motivation and thinks the Elijah Gorham Act will help so many young athletes.
"It gives me hope, it gives me faith to know there won't be another mom sitting that their son had to go through such a tragedy for playing a game that they loved. That the coach and staff around them will be equipped to help them," Shaw said.
The 7Strong Foundation is planning a flag football game. Shaw said they are planning to hold it sometime this summer.