Long before their son was critically injured in a college football game, Derrick and Staci Abercrombie knew the dangers of the sport. So did their son.
Christion Abercrombie, a former Westlake High School player, was friends with De'Antre Turman, a Creekside High player who died after being injured in August 2013.
“We were at the hospital when they delivered the bad news,” Staci Abercrombie said at recent press conference.
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De’Antre’s death was the result of a broken neck during a routine tackle, an autopsy later determined. Just over five years later, it was Christion who was injured as he played for Tennessee State University during a Sept. 29 game at Vanderbilt University.
Citing his privacy, no specifics have been released on Christion’s diagnosis. His mother previously said she and other family members attended the game and never saw her son get injured. But shortly after leaving the game, their son required emergency surgery. He remained in critical condition for two weeks.
On Wednesday, Abercrombie returned home. The 20-year-old was moved from Vanderbilt University Medical Center to Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, where he’ll continue his recovery, Tennessee State University said. The Shepherd Center specializes in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation, along with medical research.
Abercrombie began breathing on his own over the weekend and was upgraded to stable condition.
Abercrombie’s parents, who have remained with him at Vanderbilt Medical Center, have said they have relied on their faith since their son’s injury.
“All the Praise goes to God!” Staci Abercrombie posted on her Twitter page.
The Shepherd Center said Abercrombie sustained a brain injury and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for evaluation observation. Later he will move into the hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.
Though it’s still early in Christion’s recovery, the Abercrombies understand how fortunate they are and call their son’s injury an accident.
“Football is still football,” Derrick Abercrombie said at a press conference last week. “We love the sport. But accidents do happen in football.”
Christion and his family have been inspired by the outpouring of support from people around the country. His parents continue to ask for prayers.
“We truly appreciate all of the love, support and prayers from everyone,” Staci Abercrombie said in a statement released by the Shepherd Center. “This has given the family the strength needed to be able to care for Christion. This injury was not expected, but God has prepared us and will continue to provide us with his healing power.”
Among those offering encouragement to Christion: the University of Georgia football team. The team and coaches sent an autographed football, and his mom put it next to Christion’s jersey and helmet.
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