While the Galesburg High School football team was away at Camp Loud Thunder in Andalusia, Illinois, a player experienced a serious choking emergency while in the barracks. 

The player began gasping and choking on food but was unable ot speak or clear his airway. As others nearby were unaware of what was happening, he approached Coach Riley Hickey, who immediately recognized that something was wrong. 

Riley remained calm, moved behind the player, and performed three abdominal thrusts until the player’s airway was cleared. The player was able to breathe again and continued coughing for several seconds. 

Afterward, the player thanked Riley and shared that he genuinely believed he was going to die because he could not get any air. He experienced a severely sore throat for several hours following the incident and said he believed that, without Riley’s help, the situation could have had a very different outcome. 

Coach Gully witnessed the incident and Riley’s response firsthand: 

“I was able to see the player’s face and hear the player’s desperate attempts for air before Riley performed the thrusts, and there is no doubt in my mind that Riley saved his life.” 

Principal Jeff Ewing shared, “Being a Silver Streak means more than what you do in the classroom, on the field, or in a competition. It means looking out for one another and stepping up when someone needs help. Riley demonstrated exactly what it means to be a Silver Streak-he saw someone in need, stayed calm, and took action. We couldn’t be more proud of him.” 

Riley’s ability to recognize the emergency, remain calm, and take immediate action made a tremendous difference. His quick thinking and willingness to help a teammate are a wonderful example of what it means to be a Silver Streak.