[bigboydan]

This is good news, and I'm glad to see that he can move his arms and legs now. It's gonna be a struggle for him I'm sure, but with today advancements with these types of injuries I bet he will walk again.

Kevin Everett might walk again after all.

The doctor who performed the spinal surgery on Everett told Buffalo TV station WIVB on Tuesday that Everett has voluntary movement of his arms and legs and as a result he is optimistic that Everett will walk again.

Dr. Andrew Cappuccino told WIVB that Everett's sedation levels were lowered on Tuesday, allowing him to respond to verbal commands. WIVB also reported that Everett's latest MRI shows only a small amount of swelling on his spinal cord.

On Monday, Cappuccino said that Everett sustained a "catastrophic" and life-threatening spinal-cord injury and was unlikely to walk again.

"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," Cappuccino said Monday. "I believe there will be some permanent neurologic deficit."

Everett was hurt Sunday after he ducked his head while tackling the Denver Broncos' Domenik Hixon during the second-half kickoff. Everett dropped face-first to the ground after his helmet hit Hixon high on the left shoulder and side of the helmet.

On Monday, Cappuccino noted the 25-year-old reserve tight end did have touch sensation throughout his body and also showed signs of movement. But he cautioned that Everett's injury was life-threatening because he was still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.

Everett is in the intensive care unit of Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, where he is under sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen.

Cappuccino repaired a break between the third and fourth vertebrae and also alleviated the pressure on the spinal cord. In reconstructing his spine, doctors made a bone graft and inserted a plate, held in by four screws, and also inserted two small rods, held in place by another four screws.

Doctors, however, weren't able to repair all the damage.

Bills punter Brian Moorman immediately feared the worst when Everett showed no signs of movement as he was placed on a backboard and, with his head and body immobilized, carefully loaded into an ambulance.

"It brought tears to my eyes," Moorman said after practice. He said the sight of Everett's motionless body brought back memories of Mike Utley, the former Detroit Lions guard, who was paralyzed below the chest after injuring his neck in a collision during a 1991 game.

Utley, Moorman recalled, at least was able to give what's become a famous "thumbs up" sign as he was taken off the field. Everett didn't.

"That's what I was waiting for, and that's what everybody else was waiting for," Moorman said. "And to have to walk back to the sideline and not see that made for a tough time."

Utley, who lives in Washington state, was saddened to see replays of Everett's collision.

"I'm sorry this young man got hurt," Utley said. "It wasn't a cheap shot. It was a great form tackle and that's it."

Cappuccino received permission to operate from Everett's mother, Patricia Dugas, who spoke by phone from her home in Houston. She and other family members arrived in Buffalo on Monday. Everett was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and played high school football there.

Buffalo's 2005 third-round draft pick out of Miami, Everett missed his rookie season because of a knee injury. He spent most of last year playing special teams. He was hoping to make an impact as a receiver.

[smoovethug]

It will definitely be a struggle for him going forward but this is great news.

[sirwinzalot]

This is great news, hopefully he progresses. Unfortunate to see these kinds of things.

[Sportsgirl]

Excellent news.

[Junkyard Dog]

Great to hear

[AC1318]

I hope so.

[B1GER1C828]

this made me so happy 2 hear that he could walk again was just a miracle amen

[sportsmaster]

good news....hope so

[Illusion]

A complete 180 after the initial report. Great news indeed.

[onlòóker]

Good to hear it.

[louisvillekid]

yeah , it was great news when i heard it. best wishes to him and his family.

[bigboydan]

Here is an update and a touching one at that on this story:

Everett's comeback from spinal injury continues as outpatient

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett has been released from a Houston hospital to resume his next phase of rehab, 10 weeks since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury.

"While this news is a significant milestone for me, I still have a long journey to full recovery," Everett said in a statement released Sunday by Houston's Memorial Hermann/TIRR, where the player spent the past two months in rehab.

It was unclear when this week he was released, but Everett will continue his rehab at the facility as an outpatient.

"I was fortunate to meet many extraordinary people at Memorial Hermann/TIRR, many who have suffered the same or similar injury as myself, many of whom I now consider friends," Everett said. "Their courage and determination inspired me to fight every day for recovery of my ability to walk."

Everett returned to his home in Houston in time to watch the Bills (5-4) host the New England Patriots (9-0) on Sunday night.

In a surprise, Everett delivered an inspirational message to his teammates and fans before the game.

"How are you doing Buffalo? This is Kevin Everett," Everett said in a taped message broadcast on NBC and the Ralph Wilson Stadium video scoreboard. "I just want to say, 'Come on, let's beat the Patriots'"

The sellout crowd watched in silence and then broke out in a wild cheer after the 25-second clip was broadcast prior to the opening kickoff.

Except for releasing statements through press releases, the comments were the first Everett has made publicly since he was hurt while making a tackle covering a kickoff during Buffalo's season opener against Denver on Sept. 9.

He has made significant progress since he was carried off the field paralyzed from the neck down, and after doctors initially feared he'd never walk again.

Besides moving his arms and legs, Everett has developed enough strength to hold himself up briefly on a walker, and has also been using his feet to push himself around in a wheelchair.

Everett spent the first two weeks recovering at a Buffalo hospital before he was transferred to Houston because doctors felt it was important for him to be close to his family and friends. The player makes his offseason home in Houston and grew up in nearby Port Arthur, Texas.

"You know with all the support and love you've been giving me out here, just letting you guys know it's been special to me," Everett said in his broadcast message. "I'm out here in Houston, working hard out here rehabbing. Just want to say thank you to all my teammates and the city of Buffalo,as well as the fans of America."

[bigboydan]

I'm glad to see that he is walking after suffering this tragic injury.

Heres the latest update on this tragic story.

Bills tight end Everett reportedly walking on his own after spinal cord injury

Updated: December 7, 2007

Kevin Everett is walking on his own at a Houston rehab center, the latest significant progress by the Buffalo Bills tight end in his remarkable recovery from a serious spinal cord injury.

"He doesn't have a full natural stride but, yeah, he's walking,'' a person close to the family told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of Everett's status.

The person said Everett has been walking under his own power since his release from Memorial Hermann/TIRR three weeks ago and is now an outpatient there. The person added Everett is picked up at his Houston-area home by car to attend daily rehab sessions and is able to walk to and from the facility.

"He's not driving or anything like that, but he is walking. He's not running. He is walking,'' the person said.

Doctors initially feared he'd never walk again after what was described as a life-threatening injury while making a tackle in the Sept. 9 season opener against Denver. Everett was paralyzed from the neck down when he arrived at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital and spent the first few days on life support.

The prognosis was far more positive a few days later when Everett showed movement in his legs and arms and was sensitive to touch. He improved so steadily during his first two weeks he was transferred to Houston for the next stage of rehab.

Everett makes his offseason home there, and doctors felt it important for him to be close to family and friends.

Bills punter Brian Moorman learned after practice that Everett was walking.

"Any time we hear about something along those lines, it gives you chills,'' he said. "We're always thinking about him, and we're thrilled any time we hear about any progress. ... It's obviously a good sign. We hope to see him personally sometime soon.''

Everett hasn't spoken publicly except through news releases and in a videotaped statement that was broadcast before Buffalo's home game against New England on Nov. 18.

"How are you doing Buffalo? This is Kevin Everett,'' Everett said, during the brief message that was shown on TV and the Ralph Wilson Stadium video scoreboard. "I just want to say, 'Come on, let's beat the Patriots.'"

Upon his release from Memorial Hermann, Everett said in a statement he was inspired after meeting many people that sustained similar injuries.

"Their courage and determination inspired me to fight every day for recovery of my ability to walk,'' Everett said. "While this news is a significant milestone for me, I still have a long journey to full recovery.''

Everett's recovery has been the NFL's most inspirational story this season. And his presence has not been forgotten among Bills fans, with many wearing his jersey or T-shirts with his No. 85 on the back to home games.

The Bills' third-round draft pick in 2005, Everett is soft-spoken and reserved and regarded highly by teammates and friends.

"He's just every guy's teammate,'' Moorman had said after Everett was hurt. "He's got such a great character, and it's obvious. He's not a man of many words, but he doesn't need to speak by words.''

Everett had been active in his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas. Last summer, he hosted a football camp in which he charged no admission, handed out T-shirts and made sure every youngster had a ride to and from camp.

"He'd give you his last,'' said Kenny Harrison, who coached Everett in high school. "His biggest deal was making sure every kid that wanted to be a part the camp was able to be a part of it, no exception.''

[outdrawed]

Damn, I had No -150.

Just kidding, I'm pretty thrilled to hear this. Great news.

[B1GER1C828]

Originally Posted by outdrawed

Damn, I had No -150.

Just kidding, I'm pretty thrilled to hear this. Great news.

not funny at all

good 2 hear hes walking

[hhsilver]

it's great to get this news.
And Dan, thanks for all of the "news" posting you do. Many of us spend too much time here or on other gambling sites and books. You help keep us informed. ( another appreciated service of SBR and its great mods)

[Crutch]

awesome

[bigboydan]

Here is the latest update on his situation guys:

Bills cut Everett so he can get his benefits

Bills release injured TE Kevin Everett

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP)—The Buffalo Bills released Kevin Everett on Tuesday, clearing the way for the former tight end to receive disability benefits for the spinal cord injury that ended his career.

Everett was initially paralyzed from the neck down after a violent collision with then-Denver receiver Domenik Hixon on a kickoff return in last year’s season opener.

Doctors doubted Everett would walk again, but the Texas native regained many motor skills, including the ability to walk without assistance.

Everett will be able to apply for long-term disability benefits and a one-time payment under the player health reimbursement plan. He would not have been eligible for the programs if he stayed on the Bills active roster.

“We had numerous discussions with the league in dealing with this process to assist him in the best way possible,” the team said in a statement Tuesday. “Kevin will always remain a Buffalo Bill in the same way that Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and so many others before him are held in the highest regard by our franchise.”

Everett, originally selected by the Bills in the third round of the 2005 draft, is also eligible for full pension benefits because of credit for three seasons.

“The Buffalo Bills continue to be moved by Kevin Everett’s heartwarming story of his recovery,” the team said in a statement released Tuesday. “His progress from September 9 of last year through today is nothing short of a miracle, and is a tremendous example of faith, family and hard work.”

Joining Everett on the waived/failed physical list is WR Chris Denney, who sustained a knee injury while playing in NFL Europa last season. Denney was an undrafted free agent signed by the Bills in 2006.

[flyingillini]

great news. good to hear about stuff like this