Rio Vista Football Player Recovering In Hospital After Big Hit
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FORT WORTH (CBS11) - One hit changed everything for North Texas high school football player Tucker Downs.
"I remember saying my neck hurt," Downs told CBS11 from his hospital bed. "It was hurting pretty bad."
The senior at Rio Vista left the ICU Monday for the first time since Friday night's home coming game against rivals Tolar High School.
CBS 11 has exclusive video of the play that knocked him unconscious. Downs, the team's long snapper, was covering a punt when he didn't see a hit coming from the other team. When he woke up, he says his body didn't.
"That was really scary, being numb everywhere, not being able to feel anything," said Downs.
Medics loaded him onto a stretcher and wheeled him to a helicopter on the field.
Downs' mother didn't realize it was her boy until the crowd parted and a friend saw his jersey.
"She said, that's 54. And my heart sunk," Downs' mother Tina Cumins said.
The game stopped. The players took the field one last time just to pray. The teams never finished the game, after all the rivalry had already dealt with tragedy this season.
Earlier this month Tolar High player Aaron McClelen crashed his truck after a game leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
CBS 11 found video of a ceremony in McClelen's honor before Friday's homecoming game.
"I remember the big ceremony for him," Downs said. "We had guys parachute in and deliver the game ball. We all raised money for him and tried our best to keep his spirits up. That's one thing that has really helped me. When they asked him how he felt, he said he was going to be back with his team in no time."
Downs is regained motion in his legs, but not the feeling.
He also had no harsh feelings for the player who hit him.
"That was a great hit," Downs said with a chuckle. "That's all I've got to really say about it."
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