The family of a Tennessee State University football player has said they are “trusting God” after he was suffered a severe head injury during a game against Vanderbilt.
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Christion Abercrombie, 20, headed to the sideline following the impact, complaining of a headache. Then, he collapsed. The linebacker was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery for a serious brain injury. Despite showing some signs of improvement, he is still listed as being in critical condition.
The mother of TSU football student-athlete Christion Abercrombie says her son is “fighting.” He remains in critical condition after being injured in yesterday’s Tennessee State-Vanderbilt game. Staci Abercrombie asks for continued prayer. #PrayersForChristion #TigerFamilyInPrayer pic.twitter.com/zz1vGtpbsn
— Tennessee State Univ (@TSUedu) September 30, 2018
After reviewing footage of the incident, it was concluded that no foul play occurred. “It was just a football play,” TSU coach Rod Reed said Sunday morning on his sports radio show. “He was taking on a block and it wasn’t anything malicious or dirty or anything like that. Just an unfortunate situation.”
As Abercromie begins his slow road to recovery, his family is choosing to place their hope in God.
“We’re trusting God and please continue to pray,” said Abercrombie’s mother, Staci, following the incident.
In a later report by the Tennessean, Staci remarked on the unlikely turn of events and noted her belief that the Lord had His hand over the whole situation. “Who would have thought that we would be in Nashville at a game and a couple of blocks away, here is the hospital?” she said. “And there was a neurologist (Jason Hubbard) on the sideline. Because of that, we are thankful. By the time we walked into (the emergency room) my son was almost ready to go into emergency surgery. So there was no down time. It was immediate. And I think that made a difference.”
Former @TSU_Tigers Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Robert Covington and Brandon Williams have donated $2500 to support injured @tsu_football player, Christion Abercrombie.
“We are praying for a full recovery for our Tennessee State brother, Christion,” says Williams.
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisWSMV) October 3, 2018
Dr. Reid Thompson, professor and chair of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that the treatment the player received on the sidelines likely saved his life.
“Many people just don’t realize the level of care and medical sophistication that’s there at the game,” Thompson said. “From our athletic trainers and their staffs and EMS and physicians on the sidelines. People are really passionate about taking care of athletes in this setting. To me, that’s the most important point to articulate today; that there were professionals .. on the sidelines who took immediate care. They knew exactly what to do and they got him immediately over to Vanderbilt and right away we were able to provide him what we think is the best care.”
As for the cause of the accident, Abercrombie’s father, Derrick, said that nothing too severe could be spotted on the film, adding that the risk of injury is integral to the game. “Football is still football,” he said. “We love the sport, but accidents do happen in football.”
“It’s been a hard time, but we’re going to get through it,” said Abercrombie’s uncle, Kevin Richardson, according to the Tennessean. “God is here with us and Christion. He knows it, and he’s going to be just fine. He is improving daily, and we’re looking forward to seeing more from him.”
A prayer vigil was held for the young player earlier this week:
Prayer Meeting. #StandWithChristion #PrayersForChristion pic.twitter.com/e5RzPihhiB
— TennesseeSt Football (@tsu_football) October 3, 2018
Tennessee State president Glenda Glover noted that Abercrombie continues to show “just small signs of improvement” as time goes on, according to ESPN. “He’s fighting. Christion is a fighter, and each day when we see him raise his hand or do any little thing that shows a sign of improvement we’re grateful.”
Please keep this young player in your prayers!
(H/T: The Tennessean)