SAND LAKE, Mich. — Friday, Gayle and Scott Welch were in the stands, watching their grandson, Jayden Button, play football for Tri County.
In the fourth quarter, Jayden made a tackle, and a few moments later, collapsed on the field.
His coaches immediately ran onto the field, one grabbing an AED.
"I could see the fluttering of his eyes as they rolled to the back of his head," said Scott Welch. "He'd had a number of seizures right on the field. He had another seizure in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."
At the hospital, doctors began to figure out what happened to the 16-year-old junior. At one point, they thought he could have a mass in his brain.
"Laying there hearing all of that, and to hear that you got a mass on your brain, pretty traumatic," said Scott. "And to hear that your football seasons are done, pretty traumatic."
The family began to pray, they said. A few hours later, a doctor told them it was not a mass after all, but a cluster of blood vessels outside of his brain. A scheduled surgery should fix the issue.
"That was a big celebration for us," said Gayle. "That was real time demonstration of prayers being lifted up and can change a whole situation. We'll be able to have a surgery that will get him back to being Jayden, get him back to sports, get him back to lifting, working, running around, you know, being a normal 16-year-old."
Jayden is now home from the hospital with surgery scheduled for next week.
Gayle and Scott say Jayden is always "trying to better himself." He plays football, wrestling, basketball, track and excels in school. He referees for younger children's football games and speaks out about his Christian faith.
"I just think he's a really good light for other people," said Gayle. "We have all kinds of little Vikings that just love him. They just really look up to him. He's a good example for everybody."
Gayle called the response for Jayden on the field "the very best," and they appreciate every one of them who helped get Jayden to the hospital safely.
At the hospital, Gayle said many friends, family, coaches and teammates visited him.
"We are blessed by all of the love and support that everyone has given," she said.
Family have also set up a "Jayden Strong" shirt fundraiser. You can view that by clicking here.
The football game ended after Jayden collapsed. It was resumed Saturday, with Newaygo winning 42-38.