Tight End Likely Paralyzed After Injury

Buffalo Bills' Kevin Everett Sustained Life-Threatening Spinal-Cord Injury In Season Opener

(CBS/AP)  Kevin Everett sustained a "catastrophic" and life-threatening spinal-cord injury while trying to make a tackle during the Buffalo Bills' season opener and is unlikely to walk again, the surgeon who operated on him Monday said.

"A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely," orthopedic surgeon Andrew Cappuccino said. "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.

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 said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.

The tackle forced Everett's third vertebra to collapse over the fourth, severely damaging the portion of the spinal cord that controls the limbs and breathing, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor.

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 told The AP. "It wasn't a cheap shot. It was a great form tackle and that's it."

Cappuccino said Everett was alert and aware of the extent of his injuries.

"I told Kevin that the chances for a full neurologic recovery were bleak, dismal," said Cappuccino, who works for the Bills as a consultant, specializing in spinal surgery. "I was honest with him, and he told me, 'Do everything you can to help me."'

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.

The Bills now attempt to refocus while preparing to play at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

"It's difficult because you know the situation," said running back Anthony Thomas, one of Everett's best friends on the team. "We have to move on. But he'll always be in our thoughts and in our prayers."

Quarterback J.P. Losman said it was difficult to concentrate during practice.

"It seems like every couple of seconds that go by it's always popping into your head," Losman said. "Going through a walk-through, we're looking for him, wanting to hear his voice."

Coach Dick Jauron said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him Sunday evening, offering the league's support.

"We honor ourselves by our work, and we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers," Jauron said. "We're going to wait and see what the outcome is here and we're really hoping and praying for the best."

[mandyzfelix]

Why is it that when something bad happens people complain about how we should just get rid of football, or whatever the case may be, because it''s too violent/dangerous? People risk their lives doing all sorts of different things every day, and I don''t feel as though anyone has the right to gauge it''s worth until you''re deciding whether or not to partake yourself.

It''s a tragedy that this happened to Everett, and I wish for the best outcome possible for him, but as some of you have pointed out... he chose this lifestyle. It''s one of those situations where you just have to accept the risk going into it.

Besides the level of risk, what''s the difference between someone choosing to join the marines, and someone choosing to become a professional football player? (Besides the fact that you might think it''s more honorable to join the marines) My point is that you choose your own risks in life, and you can''t protect people from doing that by ridding the world of risking activities, even if they seem frivolous and pointless to you. Remember when wrestler Owen Hart died? On live TV? We''re talking about a scripted TV show that someone got killed making. But he chose that profession and knew that he was doing something dangerous.

[questionnews]

Try comparing the injury & death rates of footbal to that of auto racing and you will find that football is fairly safe by comparison.

I know oleander8 I know. That''s a "Stupid, stupid, violent game" too. Any activity that involves risk should never be done. Let''s all live in rubber rooms with pillows covering our entire body.

You can sure tell the folk who tried out for the team and were cut. If they won''t let you join''em, bash''em.

[sanfelz]

Technology exists to protect the players from injury, including heat exchaustion, but the NFL and its seven-day schedule are designed to protect profits, not players. Fans are cheated when they are forced to watch inferior players because the stars are injured. By its failure to act, the NFL shows it is indifferent tot the fans and the players.

[jester188]

prairiefox1.. buddy from what i have heard your end is pretty loose as it is... get my drift...

show some class idiot

[prairiefox1]

I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO KEEP A TIGHT END BUT IF IT WILL CAUSE ME TO BE PARALYZED I THINK I WILL LET IT GO FLABBY!

[rushlimpdrug]

football - the game of steriods.

[hissteps4u]

the Absurd amount of Money they make comes to light in such instances when they get hurt forever and can no longer play.

I have seen retired NFL players all gimped up from the years of punishment and walking with cains and walkers from injuries.

I think the salaries are bloated but when something like this happens it levels the field in a way and negates such huge salaries.

I will say a prayer for this young man.I have a injury myself from a football injury in High School but nothing like this poor man.The game is definetly getting tougher.Players bigger and faster and rougher.

[nishaboston]

Amazing how some of you idiots are blaming football for this type of injury. More people get injured in car accident, ski accidents etc.. then football. In all sports people get injured and some even get injured really bad or die. If you think American Football is dangerous try watching Rugby those guys don''t even wear protection.

[jetlizhan]

as most of us are football fans, i for one, tend to forget how dangerous a sport it really is. just one wrong move can result in injuries as this one for everett. i do hope he gets a good prognosis for the future - no football of course, but hopefully he can live a productive life and will not need a lot of physical help.