BUFFALO, New York (AFP) — Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a life-threatening spinal injury on the opening day of the National Football League season, returned to Buffalo on Sunday.
Everett suffered a cervical spine fracture dislocation between his third and fourth vertebrae when he tackeld Denver's Domenik Hixon on the opening play of the season on December 9.
Initial reports were grim, with doctor Andrew Cappuccino saying it was unlikely Everett would ever walk again.
However, within 48 hours doctors had revised their prognosis and called Everett's recovery a "miracle".
His rehabilitation, which has seen Everett regain his ability to walk, was recently detailed in a Sports Illustrated magazine article.
On Sunday, Everett was back in Buffalo for the first time since he was sent to Houston, Texas, for rehab, two weeks after he was injured.
With little fanfare, Everett joined the team at their pregame meal and was with them in the locker room prior to the game before going to a private box to watch the contest.
Everett wanted no media coverage, and the Bills kept his visit lowkey at his request. But his appearance was deeply appreciated by his teammates.
"When I walked in I almost started crying, honestly," Bills rookie quarterback Trent Edwards said. "I was just so happy to see him. For him to be back here, supporting our team, walking through, getting a pregame meal with us was just something.
"I couldn't stop looking at him. I was just so happy that he was all right."
On November 18, Everett addressed the team and fans via a videotaped message on the scoreboard prior to a game against the New England Patriots.
Everett, who was released from Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston in late November, took the opportunity to thank those who had played a role in his recovery.
"I was fortunate to meet many extraordinary people at Memorial Hermann/TIRR - many who have suffered the same or similar injury as myself, many of whom I now consider friends," Everett had said in a statement last month.
"Their courage and determination inspired me to fight every day for my recovery of my ability to walk."
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
