KIRBYVILLE, Texas — A Kirbyville football player remains in ICU after suffering a neck and spinal cord injury during Friday night's game against the Lumberton Raiders.
According to a release from Kirbyville High's principal, the player is making improvements.
"The football player has regained movement in his arms and legs. He will remain in ICU as he recovers from this injury," Kirbyville principal Holli Farias said in a statement. "The ICU team is working to regulate his blood pressure."
The Wildcat was taken by medical helicopter to Texas Children's Hospital.
"The family is very pleased with the improvements made at this time," Farias said. "The family knows that God is at work restoring his body and they appreciate the prayers and support from his friends, family, school, and community."
The player will remain in ICU as he recovers.
After the player was taken to the hospital, players, coaches and others met at the 50-yard line to pray.
Students and staff will gather on Monday around the Kirbyville High School flagpole to pray for the injured player at 7:15.
Full Statement:
One of our Wildcat football players suffered an injury in Friday’s football game against Lumberton. The athlete was life-flighted to Texas Children’s Hospital to treat a neck/spinal cord injury. An update from the family is as follows:
The football player has regained movement in his arms and legs. He will remain in ICU as he recovers from this injury. The ICU team is working to regulate his blood pressure. The family is very pleased with the improvements made at this time. The family knows that God is at work restoring his body and they appreciate the prayers and support from his friends, family, school, and community.
On behalf of KCISD, I would like to acknowledge the great sportsmanship and respect the Lumberton Raiders showed to our Wildcat community last night. The response was heart-felt and greatly appreciated in such a difficult time for our players, our district, and for the Kirbyville community.
To the Wildcat community, I am so proud of the way this community stands together in prayer for healing and strength. Our Wildcat needs you as does his friends and family. Please continue to lift them in prayer.
Holli Farias
KHS Principal