PORT ARTHUR, Texas -- Kevin Everett, the Buffalo tight end
recovering from a severe spinal cord injury, spoke at a high school
football banquet in his hometown Thursday night.
"I didn't come prepared for a big speech," Everett said. "But
thank you all of Port Arthur for your support. Just with your
support, you've lifted me up. Let everyone know, you've lifted me
up."
His comments were reported in Friday editions of the Port Arthur
News.
The appearance by Everett, who showed little indication of his
injury, was the latest step in his incredible recovery. Doctors
initially feared he would never walk again after what was described
as a life-threatening injury suffered while making a tackle on
Domenik Hixon on Sept. 9.
Everett's helmet struck Hixon's helmet and shoulder pad, and
Everett immediately collapsed face-down on the turf, remaining
motionless for several minutes while medical personnel worked
furiously to ascertain what was wrong.
Everett was paralyzed from the neck down when he arrived at
Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital and spent the first few
days on life support. He underwent four hours of surgery as a team
of doctors realigned his neck and stabilized it with screws, rods
and a titanium plate.
The prognosis was far more positive a few days later when
Everett showed movement in his legs and arms and was sensitive to
touch. He improved so steadily during the first two weeks he was
transferred to Houston for the next stage of rehab.
"I feel blessed entirely," Everett said Thursday before
addressing the Memorial High School football banquet. "I deal with
some pain sleeping but not to the point where I can't sleep. I take
my medicine and I'm good to go."
Everett, who attended Jefferson High School and the University
of Miami, spoke briefly. His audience included high school football
players, and others such as NFL-bound running back Jamaal Charles
from the University of Texas and New Mexico quarterback Donovan
Porterie.
"I just wanted to let everybody know I'm OK. I've been keeping
up with all the positive things that have been happening in Port
Arthur," he said. "I want all of you to know that you have got
choices. You can make it good or bad. These teachers and coaches
who are constantly on you about doing the right thing, you should
take heed to that. I've surrounded myself with positive people and
I can tell you that nothing's impossible."
Everett said his weight dropped to as low as 220 pounds after
his injury, but that he now weighed 240.
"Every night, especially in that first week, I was offering up
a prayer after I heard about his injury," Porterie said. "It was
all over ESPN and the NFL Network and being from Port Arthur, it
was a real big blow ... a real heartbreaker."
"So it meant a lot to see a guy of his status to bounce back
and be here like this," he said. "It was a big lift. Jesus came
through and delivered him from his obstacle."
Everett was introduced by friend Kenny Harrison, the offensive
coordinator at Memorial.
"This guy is amazing," Harrison said. "Kevin has taught me
two things. First, he's taught me that nothing is too bad and
second, that with God you can overcome anything."