Max
12-16-2002, 03:12 PM
Injured player paralyzed from neck down
HANNAH LOBEL
Associated Press
DALLAS - Everman High School senior defensive back Corey Fulbright remained in critical condition Monday after suffering a paralyzing injury during his school's victory in the state 3A championship game.
The 17-year-old player will be a quadriplegic as a result of the fracture in his lower neck, according to a statement released Monday by the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Fulbright was injured while blocking a pass in the first quarter of the game against Burnet High School at the Alamodome Saturday. He was taken to the medical center, where he had surgery the following day to stabilize his spine.
Following the injury, Fulbright's teammates went on to win 35-14, earning their second state title in as many years.
But their celebration was muted soon after receiving the game trophy, when Principal James Melton told the players Fulbright's fifth vertebra had been crushed and the extent of the damage was unknown.
At the Fort Worth-area high school Monday morning, coaches, counselors and Melton met with players wrestling with mixed emotions of grief over their friend's injury and joy over their victory, Everman ISD Superintendent Dan Powell said.
"These are tremendous athletes but they're also human teenagers with all the conflicting emotions that they have," Powell said. "They're terribly saddened about the condition of their friend and athlete, but at the same time they've all achieved something that is incredibly significant."
Powell said the coaching staff was intent on convincing the students to celebrate their victory - something he thought Fulbright would want.
After Fulbright was taken to the hospital Saturday, Melton said the player's thoughts remained with the game as he asked his trainer if the team had won.
"That was his concern: 'Did we win?'" Melton said.
It was unclear when Fulbright will be able to return to school.
Hospital officials said he would remain at the hospital for one to two weeks and then be transferred to a spinal cord rehabilitation facility.
During a crisis management meeting Monday, school officials began discussing ways to ensure that Fulbright could continue his education at Everman, which Powell said was very important to the young player's family.
Fulbright's family was not reachable Monday. Hospital spokeswoman Norma Guerra said they had requested that calls from the media be handled by hospital staff.
Also on the crisis meeting's agenda were organizing counseling for players, students and staff as well as how to handle an influx of donations.
The school had already received about $1,200 for Fulbright by Monday afternoon.
"We've got people calling from everywhere and wanting to donate," Melton said. "Even the school that we were playing."
The school still plans to hold its victory parade on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
"We just wish Corey could be there in the parade with us," Melton said.
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Editors: Donations can be sent to the attention of Debbie Oliver at Bank One in Everman, 1000 Everman Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76140. Checks should be made payable to the Everman High Athletic Booster Club.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/4752722.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
HANNAH LOBEL
Associated Press
DALLAS - Everman High School senior defensive back Corey Fulbright remained in critical condition Monday after suffering a paralyzing injury during his school's victory in the state 3A championship game.
The 17-year-old player will be a quadriplegic as a result of the fracture in his lower neck, according to a statement released Monday by the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Fulbright was injured while blocking a pass in the first quarter of the game against Burnet High School at the Alamodome Saturday. He was taken to the medical center, where he had surgery the following day to stabilize his spine.
Following the injury, Fulbright's teammates went on to win 35-14, earning their second state title in as many years.
But their celebration was muted soon after receiving the game trophy, when Principal James Melton told the players Fulbright's fifth vertebra had been crushed and the extent of the damage was unknown.
At the Fort Worth-area high school Monday morning, coaches, counselors and Melton met with players wrestling with mixed emotions of grief over their friend's injury and joy over their victory, Everman ISD Superintendent Dan Powell said.
"These are tremendous athletes but they're also human teenagers with all the conflicting emotions that they have," Powell said. "They're terribly saddened about the condition of their friend and athlete, but at the same time they've all achieved something that is incredibly significant."
Powell said the coaching staff was intent on convincing the students to celebrate their victory - something he thought Fulbright would want.
After Fulbright was taken to the hospital Saturday, Melton said the player's thoughts remained with the game as he asked his trainer if the team had won.
"That was his concern: 'Did we win?'" Melton said.
It was unclear when Fulbright will be able to return to school.
Hospital officials said he would remain at the hospital for one to two weeks and then be transferred to a spinal cord rehabilitation facility.
During a crisis management meeting Monday, school officials began discussing ways to ensure that Fulbright could continue his education at Everman, which Powell said was very important to the young player's family.
Fulbright's family was not reachable Monday. Hospital spokeswoman Norma Guerra said they had requested that calls from the media be handled by hospital staff.
Also on the crisis meeting's agenda were organizing counseling for players, students and staff as well as how to handle an influx of donations.
The school had already received about $1,200 for Fulbright by Monday afternoon.
"We've got people calling from everywhere and wanting to donate," Melton said. "Even the school that we were playing."
The school still plans to hold its victory parade on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
"We just wish Corey could be there in the parade with us," Melton said.
---
Editors: Donations can be sent to the attention of Debbie Oliver at Bank One in Everman, 1000 Everman Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76140. Checks should be made payable to the Everman High Athletic Booster Club.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/4752722.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp