Bills' Kevin Everett Has Two Vertebrae Removed; May Be Paralyzed

[hang a left]

This young man needs positive thoughts and vibrations.



Sep 10th 2007 8:29AM by Dan Benton

Sometimes, we are all reminded in a very negative way that there are bigger things than football. While we get caught up in the emotion and love for the game, it's easy to forget exactly how dangerous it is. And in one blink of the eye yesterday, that reality came crashing down on the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and every single NFL fan across the world.

Tight end Kevin Everett, who was covering a kickoff at the time, fell limp to the ground after a collision with the Broncos' Domenik Hixon. Immediately, you knew it was bad -- unfortunately, it was a lot worse than anyone expected.

The good news is that Everett survived the emergency surgery to repair his broken and dislocated neck. The bad news is that the doctors had to remove his third and fourth vertebrae before placing him on a respirator in intensive care. And the worst news is that, while he did have some "sparse movement," the risk of life-long paralysis is a very real and extremely disheartening reality.

<<<snip>>>

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/09/10/bills-kevin-everett-has-two-vertebrae-removed-may-be-paralyzed/

[hlthe2b]

1. damn.....

I may be the exception to most here, but I really do NOT like violent sports, and that is not just confined to boxing. Yeah, I know... I'm just a wuss, I guess. But, I really no longer care to watch, even though I live in Bronco Land.


I hope he gets lucky... although I guess he already has to some extent, having just survived.


So very very sad, yet, we are seeing this level of severe injury daily in our Iraqi troops. I suppose that requires some perspective.

[napi21]

2. Oh my. That's sooo sad. How did this happen?

I didn't watch the game, but I have watched a LOT of pro FB over the years, and I don't ever remember hearing about a broken NECK!

[rocktivity]

3. A helmet-to-helmet hit

which perhaps the NFL should start worrying about instead of how far one's socks are pulled up.

:headbang:
rocknation

[againes654]

5. They do worry about it

A helmet to helmet hit is illegal, although that doesn't necessarly stop it from happening. So sad really!!

[BlooInBloo]

11. They do. That's why this sort of thing happens so rarely.

[devilgrrl]

4. I watched this game yesterday. It didn't look good on TV :-(

It was a routine tackle on a punt play, innocent helmet to helmet contact. His body twitched after he hit the ground, I was hoping it was only a concussion but judging by the looks of the players faces on the field, I knew it was probably much worse.

[Submariner]

6. Daryl Stingley of the Patriots was paralyzed.....died recently

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2826562

[hlthe2b]

7. Happens in high school and college level...

infrequently, yes, but far too often, IMO.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. That is sad....

x(

I'll be seeing the Bills play the Pats in 2 weeks. They lost him, and 2 other starters yesterday. Jeez...

[devilgrrl]

9. It's going to be a long season for Bills fans.

But they'll still kick Miami's ass. :silly:

[bicentennial_baby]

12. I can support that

:D

[AngryAmish]

10. Removed his 3d and 4th vertebrae???

I am somewhat familiar with neck injuries and I have not heard of removing vertebrae ever. This does not mean it does not happen, just that I don't know of it.

Why remove them? Why not internal fixation and put him in a halo device?

I guess I need to go to orthopedic and neurosurgery school.

[pansypoo53219]

13. swelling?

vertebra crushed?
hope he can have christopher reeve like treatment.

[shanti]

14. poor kid...

:(...and that is exactly why i never let my (last) son play football!

[hang a left]

15. UPDATE: Very Sad

Bills Tight End May Not Walk Again
Monday September 10, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff

The inherent dangers of a game that frequently features muscle-bound elite athletes colliding at high speeds became all too clear when Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffered a severe spinal injury during his team's season opener against Denver on Sunday.

Everett will be sedated for up to two days while doctors try to discern the extent of his injuries. So far, it doesn't look good. On Monday, an attending orthopedic surgeon said his chances of regaining full body motion are very slim.

Everett remains in the intensive care unit at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital following a four-hour operation.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_14605.aspx

[hang a left]

16. UPDATE: Looks Grim

Bills' Everett likely to be paralyzed after 'catastrophic' neck injury
The Associated Press
Published: September 10, 2007

ORCHARD PARK, New York: The Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett sustained a "catastrophic" and life-threatening spinal-cord injury in Sunday's National Football League game against the Denver Broncos, and his chances of regaining a full range of body motion are very small, an orthopedic surgeon said Monday.

"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said, one day after performing a four-hour operation on the player. "I believe there will be some permanent neurological paralysis. ... A full neurological recovery was bleak, dismal."

Everett was hurt when he lowered his head while driving in to tackle the Broncos' Domenik Hixon during the second half-opening kickoff. Everett dropped face first to the ground after his helmet hit Hixon high on the left shoulder and side of the helmet.

Television replays showed the player twitching for a few seconds as he attempted to get up before falling back to the ground. Everett's eyes were open but he showed no further signs of movement during the next 15 minutes as the team's medical staff and emergency personnel placed him on a backboard and, with the player's head and body immobilized, loaded him into an ambulance at the Broncos 30.

snip>>>

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/10/sports/NA-SPT-FBL-NFL-Paralyzed-Player.php

[SeattleGirl]

17. Ah, crap.

I had heard about this yesterday, and was hoping that he would be all right. How very sad.

[hang a left]

18. ...

[politicasista]

19. This is so sad

so young. :(

[Perseid]

20. I watched much of that game

Sad that this happened, and sad to hear the commentators say things like "well, they all know the risks they are taking when they take the field".

Good vibes to Mr. Everett and his family.