High school football photographer dies after accidental hit

A Kansas high school football team’s photographer was covering a junior varsity game last week when she was accidentally hit on the sidelines, resulting in her death four days later.

Linda Gregory, 69, succumbed to a head injury in the hospital Friday, her grieving husband of 23 years, Mel Gregory, announced on Facebook, writing: “She has passed and is at peace.”

The photographer was taking pictures on Sept. 4 at the game between Wichita Northwest High School and Bishop Carroll High School when two players engaging in a block inadvertently “ran into” Gregory.

The woman fell backward and hit her head on concrete, leaving her in critical condition. Her husband reported in an earlier update that she was in intensive care with bleeding on the brain.

Gregory had spent much of last week on life support so that her organs could be donated to save the lives of others.

In a post after his wife’s death, Mel Gregory stressed that Linda would not want anyone to be blamed for what happened, least of all the players, whom she lovingly called “her boys.”

“I know that the players are traumatized and on her behalf, I want to show them support,” the husband wrote.

On Friday, Northwest’s football team honored their long-time photographer before a game by wearing stickers with her initials on their helmets, reported the Wichita Eagle.

There was also a moment of silence in Gregory’s honor before kickoff. Mel Gregory was present at the game, along with other family members.

“I was back on the sidelines tonight to watch Linda Gregory being honored with many tributes. It was hard to do the interviews and my voice broke way too many times but I hope I made my beloved Linda Gregory proud of my attempt to be as good as she was,” Mel Gregory wrote on Facebook after the matchup between Northwest and Heights High School.

The Gregorys ran a photography business together and have been taking pictures of Northwest High sports since 2014.  

Northwest coach Steve Martin described Linda as an “amazing person” after she was injured.

“She would go out of her way to make each kid feel important in her own unique way,” Martin said. “Her passion for kids was amazing, but it went deeper than taking pictures for Linda and Mel. They were a part of our football team and always will be. They are family!”

New York Jets running back Breece Hall, an alumnus of Northwest High, asked for prayers Tuesday after he learned of the injury.

“These are the most genuine, polite, kind, giving, whole hearted people. Prayers out to you and your wonderful wife, Mel Gregory,” Hall wrote on Facebook.

A grief-stricken Mel Gregory has been sharing memories of his beloved wife and documenting his healing process, which has been aided by his and Linda’s children and grandchildren.

“Please keep her in your heart,” he pleaded with his well-wishers. “She was the most gentle and loving person I have ever known and I was so lucky to have had her for 23 years.  Rest now, Linda.  Time for your spirit to learn something new.”

With Post wires