Teammates Visit Injured Player At OU Children's Hospital

A Lawton Eisenhower High School football player partially paralyzed during a game a couple of weeks ago is on the mend. 

Sophomore running back Chris Thomas, 16, suffered what doctors call an “incomplete spinal cord injury” while he was being tackled during a junior varsity game. 

“I remember everything,” said Thomas. 

He was transferred from OU Children’s Hospital to the Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany Friday morning.  He has regained feeling in most of his limbs. 

The Eisenhower Eagles were in the OKC metro Friday night to play Piedmont.  Hours before the game, Eisenhower players, coaches, and even a few cheerleaders made a surprise visit to see Chris.

His father Chris Sr. said it helps a lot. “All of the love has really been appreciated. It’s kept him going. Without that help, who knows where his mind would have been?”

Chris’ doctor Steven Couch told News 9 while Thomas is making great progress, he will have to wear a neck brace for six months, and won’t be allowed to play football for the rest of this season. 

Earlier this week, the team passed a helmet around the school; $1,100 in donations for the Thomas family was raised.