'We're all praying for him': Detroit Northwestern basketball player suffers cardiac arrest

Cartier Woods, a senior on the Detroit Northwestern boys basketball team, went into cardiac arrest during a game Tuesday night and is on life support, according to Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District.

“He was administered CPR and was rushed to Henry Ford Hospital,” Vitti said in an email circulating on social media. “As of this email he is on life support and the next 24 hours are critical to his survival. With permission from Cartier Woods’ legal guardian, his aunt, I send this email to you requesting your prayers, thoughts and/or well wishes for his recovery.”

Northwestern was playing host to Detroit Douglass when according to PSL Executive Director Jay Alexander, Woods took himself out of the game, then collapsed near the bench.

“He was sitting on the sideline and just collapsed,” Alexander said of Woods. “He felt like something was wrong, so he just told the coach he needed to come out of the game because he wasn’t feeling well.”

Alexander said Northwestern had a defibrillator on hand, just like all the PSL schools.

“They did all that stuff (CPR) and the ambulance came and took over, took him down the street to Henry Ford,” Alexander said. “He was never alert, that’s why I guess they are saying cardiac arrest, because his heart stopped but it wasn’t a heart attack.”

Douglass coach Pierre Brooks Sr. said Woods collapsed early in the first quarter, which was soon stopped, and the gym emptied.

“I was so locked in on the game, I heard the commotion, didn’t see the actual collapse,” Brooks said. “My instinct was, if there was a fight going on with the noise I heard, but I didn’t see the actual collapse. I was more concerned with making sure he was OK once I found out he did collapse and getting my guys out of the way. It was a pretty tragic scene.

“They acted real quick to administer CPR and everything. I never went on that side of the court when it happened, and after a while I took my guys to the locker room and they cleared the gym, so I’m not sure if he was conscious or unconscious.

“It was mutual that based on the emotions of his players and my players and fans that it wouldn’t be good if we’d continue. I’d say that it was somewhat similar to the Buffalo game a few weeks back (when Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed on Monday Night Football against Bengals), just wouldn’t be right to continue.”

Brooks didn’t want to come to work Wednesday, especially since he was hurting for Northwestern coach George Tyson. Brooks and Tyson coached together at Detroit Northern more than 20 years ago, then at Detroit King and Douglass before Tyson took the head job at Northwestern a few years ago.

“To be honest with you I didn’t want to come to work today, and when I saw our guys ready to go (to practice), they motivated me,” Brooks said.

“I’ve been emotional since Coach Tyson at Northwestern is like a brother to me, and to see him going through that, I’ve been pretty emotional and a wreck. We’ve coached together for 19 years, he was there when my son, PJ (Pierre Brooks, now playing at MSU) was born.

“My players today have really encouraged me, and I’ve gotten some energy and drive just based on their approach. I thought I’d have to come here and counsel, and it seems like they are motivated and praying for Cartier.”

Calls to Tyson were not returned.

Northwestern football coach Andre Harlan was shocked to learn the news of the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Woods, who was his captain and star player who played quarterback, tight end and linebacker this past fall.

“I wasn’t at the game, just heard that he came out of the game and passed out pretty much,” said Harlan, who was waiting for updates from his athletic director, Tenisha Pulliam. “My AD was there, so I’m trying to get a call from her, she called me earlier. I’m praying and waiting patiently. He was a captain for me and a heck of a player. He was starting to grow into his own and I felt he was going to get some late looks and it’s so unfortunate that this happened. Hopefully he’ll be able to recover.”

Said Brooks: “I know he was all-city in football and probably make second or third team basketball, definitely a starter and one of their better players. I remember seeing him around and playing AAU and things like that, definitely one of the top players. We’re all praying for him.”

david.goricki@detroitnews.com