Southern University wide receiver Devon Gales is already thinking about football, mere days after an injury on a kickoff return at Georgia changed his life forever.

More details involving Gales’ recovery post-spinal surgery were revealed Thursday during a news conference at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a rehabilitation clinic for brain and spinal injury patients.

“The first thing he said to me was, “Coach, do you think I can get a medical redshirt?”” Southern’s interim athletic director Roman Banks said, according to The Advocate. “That just shows you how awesome he has been in handling this situation.”

Gales has no movement in his lower body, but can move his arms and hands according to doctors. Gales broke his sixth cervical vertebra after colliding with Bulldogs kicker Marshall Morgan while trying to make a block.

A relief fund has been set up to help offset some of his medical expenses and the University of Georgia, notably coach Mark Richt, continues to monitor and support Gales and his family.

On Wednesday, Southern University penned a heartfelt open letter to Richt and Georgia Athletics.

“It brings great joy to see a person who has gone through this type of severe injury to have as much spirit and confidence that he has and it really has given myself and his parents and Jaguar Nation and the Georgia nation all great hope and energy from how he has responded,” Banks said during the press conference.

“We know it’s a long road for him. We know that in order to go through what he’s going through you’re going to have to be courageous and confident and you’ve got to believe in a higher power. So we’re thinking in due time we’ll understand the severity of his injury and we’ll understand his recovery a little better. I know the doctors are hopeful that under their instruction and leadership that he will continue to get better as time goes.”

Gales was trending on social media after his injury along with the outpouring of support from Georgia. Richt visited Gales multiple times at Athens Regional Medical Center before he was transferred to Atlanta and Southern coach Dawson Odums is expected to be in town Friday during the Jaguars’ off weekend.