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Alabama men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson has followed the story involving Southern football player Devon Gales closely over the last several weeks and he wanted to do his part, if only for a few minutes, to help out.
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Gales was seriously injured while trying to make a block on a kickoff return during Southern’s game at Georgia on Sept. 26. He broke his sixth cervical vertebra after colliding with Bulldogs kicker Marshall Morgan and had emergency surgery at a local hospital in Athens before being transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
That’s where Johnson met up with Gales earlier this week while on a recruiting visit in the Atlanta area.
Johnson played point guard at Southern for three seasons in the late 1980s.
“I’m glad he lifted my spirits about life,” Johnson said, according to AL.com. “He thought I lifted his spirits. He’s got a long road ahead. But every day, he’s gaining a yard, he’s gaining a yard. And I believe one day he’s gonna walk again.”
The outpouring of support has been immense since Gales’ unfortunate injury, especially from Mark Richt and the athletic department at the University of Georgia.
Gales started a Twitter account (@IamDevonGales) on Oct. 6 and has posted daily updates on his rehabilitation progress.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gales family. We’re all rooting for you, Devon:
Physical Therapy ain’t for wimps! Getting it in! Rise and Grind! #ShepardCenter
— Devon J. Gales (@IAmDevonGales) October 16, 2015
Aim for the sky and you’ll reach the ceiling. Aim for the ceiling and you’ll stay on the floor. #GettingItIn #ShepardCenter — Devon J. Gales (@IAmDevonGales) October 16, 2015
Shout out 2 @CoachAvery6 4 visiting me @ShepherdCenter 2day during lunch. Awesome guy & a Jaguar 4 life! Thx! #gettingitin #physicaltherapy
— Devon J. Gales (@IAmDevonGales) October 14, 2015
Appreciate what U have, accept the blessings waiting 4 U 2 need them, and above all – realize that Source from which it all comes. — Devon J. Gales (@IAmDevonGales) October 13, 2015
