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High school football quarterback recovering after serious injury
A Bremen High School football player is recovering at Grady Hospital after being seriously injured during a football game. According to his school principal, he suffered an injury to his spine and currently has not feeling from the waist down. FOX 5's Eric Mock has the story.
BREMEN, Ga. - A Bremen High School quarterback is said to be in good spirits after being seriously injured during a game on Friday.
Carson Kimball suffered a major injury to his spine during Friday's rivalry game against Bowdon High School that left him with no feeling in his legs. He underwent surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he is currently recovering.
Bremen Fire Rescue and EMS rushed to the field after Kimball was tackled during a play. BHS Principal Tim Huff told FOX 5 Atlanta it was clear Kimball had been injured when he went down.
"It was packed, standing room only, and it was completely silent for probably 20 minutes, just like they were the EMTs, you know, got him stabilized on a backboard, and they brought the the man out to pick him up," said Huff. "It wasn't like something malicious was done. It wasn't like he just had this awful lick, you know, he's just a good kid that was just playing football, a game he loves and it's hard to even put into words because it just did not look that severe."
Bremen High School senior Carson Kimball (Credit: Bremen High School)
But the damage was severe. Huff says Carson's C-6 vertebrae in his neck were severely injured. He said Carson's father confirmed his son underwent surgery on Saturday, and that he "has not recovered feeling to his lower body yet" and "has a long recovery ahead."
"The surgery they did, they said was a success, Huff said. "He passed a couple of tests the hospital gave him today, he can eat and drink on his own now which is great."
Huff went on to say that Carson's attitude may be the most positive sign yet.
"He's optimistic. He's hopeful. I mean, also, when I walked in the room, he reached out, grabbed my hand, and I asked him what you know, what message he had for the students back here at school. He said, tell them I love them. And that I'll be walking out of here soon."
The Bremen community is rallying behind Carson and his family. Already, a fundraiser seeking shirts for him and a GoFundMe have been established to assist with medical expenses. So far, they've raised more than $25,000.
"Bremen is something special. This is not the first time they've rallied behind an individual…it really is hard to imagine it. Maybe every place in the world was like this, but I don't think it is. I mean, this is a special place," Huff said.
FOX 5 will continue to keep you updated on Carson's condition.