Houston County opens season in support of paralyzed football player

ERIN — Trevor Hutchinson's prayer in the middle of a group of Houston County and McEwen high school football players Friday night hit home.

"We pray above all else that you keep these players safe," Hutchinson said with his head bowed and eyes welling with tears.

The Fighting Irish and Warriors gathered at midfield in a brief ceremony dedicated to injured Houston County senior Jefferey Cox, who was paralyzed after suffering a neck injury two weeks ago during a scrimmage at Jo Byrns.

"There's so much love right now surrounding Jefferey that we just wanted to take time to acknowledge that love and let him know, win or lose, that we're thinking about him and praying for a full recovery," Hutchinson said.

Cox has been at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as he recovers from fractured C1 and C2 vertebrae in his neck, according to Cox's mother, Alicia Parker, who posts regularly on a Facebook page created to share his recovery, "Jefferey's Strong Journey."

Cox had surgery to stabilize his neck Aug. 4. Parker wrote in an Aug. 12 Facebook post that her son did not have feeling below his neck. He also battled pneumonia, according to Parker.

His recovery continues to have its ups and downs, Hutchinson said, but Cox, his family and the Erin community continue to be hopeful.

Sitting in the crowd were those closest to Cox and his family. Members of the Mobley Bible Study, a group in Erin that meets once a week, talked about how important Cox had become to their group.

Brianne Wyatt is one of those group members whose son, Landon, is a freshman offensive lineman for the Irish.

"He's one of ours," Wyatt said. "We go to the hospital almost every other day. He's been in good spirits and his family has been doing the best they can. They are getting used to a new kind of normal so it's tough."

Hutchinson, who graduated from Houston County in 2017 and will be joining in the Air Force later this fall, spoke with Cox before Houston County's 7-0 season-opening victory. 

"He kept telling me that it's in God's hands," Hutchinson said. "That's what he said to me. The courage that he has shown throughout this whole ordeal has been amazing."

Houston County coach Orman Meadows has spent the better part of two weeks trying to walk a tightrope between keeping his players motivated and focused on the season while keeping his former starting defensive back at the forefront of his mind.

"The only thing he told the players before (Friday's) game was to play hard," Meadows said before the game. "He told them to play hard and play together."

Cox has had an outpouring of support from communities around Erin, including rival Stewart County, which raised more than $1,700 to help the family's expenses. McEwen arrived Friday with a $400 while schools like Rossview and Jo Byrns have sent well wishes with printed T-shirts.

"People care and that's always great to see communities outside of your own who rally together," Meadows said. "It's been overwhelming to say the least."

Meanwhile, Cox continues to focus on his recovery and his community continues to focus on him.

"We want him to know that we'll be here for him through it all," Hutchinson said. "Through the difficult times and good times. I have no doubt that he'll walk again."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.