Miami-Dade County, Florida. A South Florida high school football player suffered a catastrophic injury on the football field last month, and his family has provided an update on his recovery as the community rallies around him.
It was Frederick “Cheeks” Climpson’s first JV game at Homestead Senior High School. His sister, Asia Climpson, claimed he was quite pleased about the game, especially after he scored his first touchdown.
It’s the moment he had been waiting for.
However, Climpson did not finish his first game. During the third quarter, he collided helmet to helmet with another player. Climpson shattered his neck and hurt his spine. The 15-year-old sophomore was transported to a hospital.
Climpson was able to move his shoulders, but family members told Local 10 News last month that he was put on a ventilator and given a feeding tube after the event.
More than a month after his injuries, Local 10 News visited with his grandfather, Willie, who provided an encouraging report on his grandson on Friday.
“He’s starting to eat which makes me feel much better because he wasn’t eating when he first got the injury,” Willie went on to say. “His morale goes up when he sees his lover. It makes him grin, which makes me smile.
Former Christopher Columbus Senior High football players gathered thousands of dollars for Climpson to cover medical expenses and long-term care.
“Very proud of our brothers,” said football coach Ed Lopez. “You know, we stand strong in solidarity, and we want Frederick to know he has our support
Climpson’s hospital room features a “get well soon” banner autographed by his classmates and a helmet signed by his teammates.
All of his teammates wear his number 4 on their helmets as a tribute to Climpson, who is still in therapy after his injuries.
Climpson, who is only an adolescent, has already had a significant impact on loved ones who follow in his footsteps in football.
