Massachusetts coach collapsed 3 minutes into the game and his lips turned blue — then the rival coach made a move that silenced the gym
When a life is on the line on the court, jersey colors fade, and compassion takes over. A middle school basketball coach, Ian Haffer, knew he had to step up if it was to save a person's life, even if that was the coach from the opposing team. When the game was three minutes in, the Massachusetts coach, Ronnie Poirier, had his lips turn blue as he collapsed almost immediately face down. But what Haffer did next saved the coach from a life-threatening situation. As reported by WAGMTV on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Haffer's medical training came to the rescue during this emergency.
A middle school basketball match was just three minutes in when basketball coach Haffer saw Ronnie Poirier's lips turning blue as he fell face down near the gym. Haffer told WAGMTV that he noticed the rival team's coach struggling to breathe and ordered an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). He immediately got his hands on an AED and turned it on as he cut off Coach Poirier's shirt. Haffer, who was trained in medicine, shocked parents who were there to watch the game, as they saw the coach getting the medical equipment to save the man's life. A parent named Reed Bundy called 911, with the paramedics arriving shortly. Poirier was rushed to the hospital, where he received treatment for cardiac arrest in the ICU.
Haffer had been coaching in Belmont for many years; however, when he was faced with this situation, he was caught off guard. The coach revealed that he was unsure about what was going to happen. However, he knew he had to act as fast as he could. While on the field, the coaches may have been rivals, Poirier now credits his second chance at life to Haffer. He grew emotional and choked up while expressing his gratitude toward the rival coach for stepping up to save his life. "Yep, he saved my life," he said, as he showed his appreciation to all those who were able to get him out of the medical emergency. Although Poirier awaits further testing before he gets discharged from the hospital, he is still in disbelief over the entire ordeal.
A 2010 study published by Netta Weinstein et al. found that people help others with autonomous motivation, when they genuinely want to help, and not when they feel forced. The study noted that this behavior brings great satisfaction to the helper. When Haffer noticed that the rival coach wasn’t feeling well, he didn’t think about the game at all. All he knew was that he had to step in and save the man’s life.
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