Indianapolis, In. — The 15-year-old Switzerland County Football player injured in a weekend matchup with North Decatur High School continues his recovery in Riley Children’s Hospital.
Reports indicate the player has surgery over the weekend to relieve pressure on his spine caused by a fracture of the 4th and 5th vertebrae. Coah of the Switzerland County Pacers Football team released the following statement:
Latest update:
Some of the coaches just left as he drifted off to sleep while watching…you guessed it, football. We hope our visits help brighten the long road to recovery he is surely facing. We gave him a “Dirty Bird” shirt, which had the motto Embrace the Grind printed on the back, and left it draped over the end of his bed facing him.
His mother had the neurosurgeon update us on what is happening at the moment in his recovery.He suffered a fracture to his 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae. Having these dislodged resulted in a contusion that is currently putting pressure on his spinal cord causing the loss of feeling he is suffering from. Today and tomorrow are the major swelling days for this type of injury so this is not uncommon.
Good news is that it is an incomplete injury of the spinal cord which means the brains ability to signal for movement has not been severed, but the swelling is keeping this from occurring at the moment. He was able to feel a tingling sensation in his leg this morning when he was examined by a nurse, but none since that time.
The chaplain was in from North Decatur and sent well wishes from their community. They have set up a go fund me page for their area and we will be publishing one soon as well. Please feel free to donate to either or both.
As always, continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
-Coach Ryan Jesop
A link to a fundraiser for the family is here.
