Eliot Abramson, a standout Seattle-area high school lacrosse player, has died after sustaining injuries during a recruiting showcase.
Abramson was struck in the back of the neck below the helmet by a lacrosse ball during an event for college recruiters at Mercer Island High School on June 1, according to a letter sent by administrators. He died from his injuries on Sunday, June 7, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
“As shared by his family, Eliot’s injuries were too severe to survive and he passed away Sunday morning surrounded by his family,” the letter said.
Eliot’s mother, Jessica Abramson Lott, posted a heartbreaking message on social media while her son was in the hospital, days before his death.
“A hero firefighter kept Eliot’s heart beating and the amazing surgeons at Harborview have kept him alive,” she shared via Instagram on Friday, June 5. “While Eliot’s heart continues to beat, his injuries are too severe for him to survive much longer. These past few days he has been surrounded constantly by his family and the immense love from friends and this wonderful community in which we live.”
Jessica continued, “We have read him every note that was sent or posted, and we have heard and told a lot of ‘Eliot stories.’ We have laughed and cried more than we could have imagined, and we have been held up by all your prayers, love and support.”
Shortly before his death, Eliot — a sophomore at Mercer Island High School — made the ultimate decision that will allow his legacy to live on.
“Eliot got his drivers license a few months back and made the courageous decision to be an organ donor, a decision we now honor,” his mother wrote. “We are proud of this decision and the fact that he will be saving many lives.”
Eliot was only three years old when his father, Joey, died from cancer at the age of 44.
“While Eliot’s time on earth will end way too soon, we are comforted that he will be in heaven with his dad, making him laugh, playing music with his smile lighting up the room,” Jessica’s post concluded. “We’re sure he’ll be doing ‘wall ball’ in the sky and rooting for all his friends.”
On his lacrosse recruiting website, Eliot wrote that he “had a stick in my hand for as long as I can remember, following my older brother and my dad, who both played lacrosse.”
He continued, “I grew up in an athletic family, with a mom who played college-level tennis, an uncle who played professional baseball. I played basketball through 9th grade, and I also played soccer, and currently golf and ski. Lacrosse has always been my favorite sport.”
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