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The college football world was shaken when Southern University receiver Devon Gales suffered a severe spinal injury during a kickoff against Georgia back on Sept. 26.
The University of Georgia has shown tremendous support for Gales since the tragedy. Now, Gales — who’s finally headed home to Louisiana after five months of recovery in Atlanta — stopped by to attend Georgia’s press conference on Thursday before heading back to “The Boot.”
While there, Gales received some heartwarming news from the Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation.
.@IAmDevonGales and his family receiving the news that Triumph Over Tragedy will be building them a new house. pic.twitter.com/7b8py6XqjM
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) February 25, 2016
That’s the icing on the cake for the Gales family.
Devon Gales' step mom says they've taken two trips to Baton Rouge, with a trailer and a Suburban, to take back all the gifts they received
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) February 25, 2016
.@IAmDevonGales says the first thing he wants to do when he gets home is see his @SouthernUsports teammates. pic.twitter.com/HPD92xU2Hm
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) February 25, 2016
Former Georgia standout linebacker David Pollack moderated the press conference, and he had words of encouragement for Gales.
David Pollack again brought to tears as he encourages Devon Gales and his family. pic.twitter.com/azbFda3nhJ
— Jake Rowe (@JakeMRowe) February 25, 2016
"Don't ever let someone tell you what you can't do." – @davidpollack47 to @IAmDevonGales pic.twitter.com/reeWyYpm3x
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) February 25, 2016
Even Athens mayor Nancy Denson attended the presser, and she had a one-of-a-kind gift for Gales.
Athens mayor Nancy Denson gave Devon Gales the key to the city. pic.twitter.com/gi6my4ruIG
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) February 25, 2016
Ron Courson, Georgia’s director of sports medicine, had a message for Gales as well.
Ron Courson to Devon Gales: "You're going to be in the Bulldog nation forever."
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) February 25, 2016
These shirts are now available from #UGA. pic.twitter.com/YBdczvaZIi
— Chip Towers AJC (@ctowersajc) February 25, 2016
Gales broke his sixth cervical vertebra in that game against the Bulldogs. He was taken off on a stretcher and didn’t have any feeling in his body at the time.
However, Gales said in January that he could feel his knee and the bottom of his feet, and that he could move his hands and some fingers.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
