http://sportsillustrated....ml?cnn=yes

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Kevin Everett sustained a "catastrophic" and life-threatening spinal-cord injury while trying to make a tackle during the Buffalo Bills' season opener and is unlikely to walk again, the surgeon who operated on him said Monday.

"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," orthopedic surgeon Andrew Cappuccino said. "I believe there will be some permanent neurologic deficit."

Everett was hurt Sunday after he ducked his head while tackling the Denver Broncos' Domenik Hixon during the second-half kickoff. Everett dropped face-first to the ground after his helmet hit Hixon high on the left shoulder and side of the helmet.

Cappuccino noted the 25-year-old reserve tight end did have touch sensation throughout his body and also showed signs of movement. But he cautioned that Everett's injury was life-threatening because he was still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.

Everett is in the intensive care unit of Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, where he is under sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen. Cappuccino said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.

Cappuccino repaired a break between the third and fourth vertebrae and also alleviated the pressure on the spinal cord. In reconstructing his spine, doctors made a bone graft and inserted a plate, held in by four screws, and also inserted two small rods, held in place by another four screws.

Doctors, however, weren't able to repair all the damage.

Bills punter Brian Moorman immediately feared the worst when Everett showed no signs of movement as he was placed on a backboard and, with his head and body immobilized, carefully loaded into an ambulance.

"It brought tears to my eyes," Moorman said after practice. He said the sight of Everett's motionless body brought back memories of Mike Utley, the former Detroit Lions guard, who was paralyzed below the chest after injuring his neck in a collision during a 1991 game.

Utley, Moorman recalled, at least was able to give what's become a famous "thumbs up" sign as he was taken off the field. Everett didn't.

"That's what I was waiting for, and that's what everybody else was waiting for," Moorman said. "And to have to walk back to the sideline and not see that made for a tough time."

Utley, who lives in Washington state, was saddened to see replays of Everett's collision.

"I'm sorry this young man got hurt," Utley told The AP. "It wasn't a cheap shot. It was a great form tackle and that's it."

Cappuccino said Everett was alert and aware of the extent of his injuries.

"I told Kevin that the chances for a full neurologic recovery were bleak, dismal," said Cappuccino, who works for the Bills as a consultant, specializing in spinal surgery. "I was honest with him, and he told me, 'Do everything you can to help me."'

Cappuccino received permission to operate from Everett's mother, Patricia Dugas, who spoke by phone from her home in Houston. She and other family members arrived in Buffalo on Monday.

Buffalo's 2005 third-round draft pick out of Miami, Everett missed his rookie season because of a knee injury. He spent most of last year playing special teams. He was hoping to make an impact as a receiver.

The Bills now attempt to refocus while preparing to play at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

"It's difficult because you know the situation," said running back Anthony Thomas, one of Everett's best friends on the team. "We have to move on. But he'll always be in our thoughts and in our prayers."

Quarterback J.P. Losman said it was difficult to concentrate during practice.

"It seems like every couple of seconds that go by it's always popping into your head," Losman said. "Going through a walk-through, we're looking for him, wanting to hear his voice."

Coach Dick Jauron said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him Sunday evening, offering the league's support.

"We honor ourselves by our work, and we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers," Jauron said. "We're going to wait and see what the outcome is here and we're really hoping and praying for the best."

Very sad

see this is why i don't want my oldest to play. really sad . i wish him well
[Edited 9/10/07 23:53pm]

Sorry to heard that.

I read that his tackling form was good all the way through except when he dropped his head....all of the force of the hit transferred to his spine and caused the damage...if he'd kept his head up, he might've gotten hurt, but he wouldn't be in his present condition....

....just amazes me the amount of damage these guys inflict upon each other and themselves....

...I pray for him and his family....

I saw that game, it was truly just a freak accident.


He's in a good hospital, it's probably too early to predict if he'll walk again.
So much depends on his body's own healing abilities and his will to overcome the injuries.
I have a friend who had severe head and spinal trauma this past spring, 3 skull fractures and 4 crushed vertebrae. Docs said he might not walk and would certainly not be able to lift more than 5 lbs. He fully recovered in just a few months. So you never know.
Prayer and positivity are key.

for him and his family.

his poor mama, you know she was watching that game and then to get that call too sad

get well soon

My prayers go out to him and his family.

His doctors are now saying he has limited movement in his arms and legs but still no feeling in his hands. They are "cautiously optimistic" that he may be able to walk again.

http://www.wivb.com/Globa...?S=7068222

reneGade20 said:

That's the nature of the game, man. Football(at any level) is no joke - cold, violent and brutal, but these cats know the risks. They don't pay football players enough, IMO. Many of them are physical wrecks when they retire.

I used to get nervous watching my little nephew play youth-league football. I'm so glad he switched to hoops.

uPtoWnNY said:

Oh I know dude.....my budding football career ended during summer practice in my junior year in high school....I was a cornerback, and our coach decided it would be a good idea for the corners to run routes as recievers to aid in our recognition...which was cool until I got planted crossing the middle, by the only district all-star on our sorry assed team (2-28 for the 3 years I was there, 25 game losing streak until we won our homecoming game my senior year)...

truly heartbreaking

He can move his hands now.

COLD shit...

uPtoWnNY said:

Nobody forces them to do it. To say that they don't pay football players enough is a ridiculous statement. They know what they're getting themselves into when they volunteer and considering the huge amounts of money they're getting, nobody should have any sympathy if they suffer any injuries because of their greedy 'profession'. If they're 'physical wrecks' when they retire, then maybe they should have chosen a different way to make money.