TSU football player continuing to recover, headed to rehab

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University football student-athlete Christion Abercrombie is scheduled to be discharged from Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Wednesday and transported to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, according to TSU Athletic officials.

The Athletics Department said Tuesday that Abercrombie, who sustained a head injury in the TSU-Vanderbilt football game on Sept. 29, will be taken to the Shepherd Center, which is one of the nation’s top 10 rehabilitation hospitals for brain injuries.

Staci Abercrombie, Christion’s mother, said at a press conference on Oct. 3 that she was optimistic about her son’s recovery because of her faith, and she’s asking for continued prayer.

“We thank everyone for their love, support and prayers,” she said in a statement. “Keep praying.”

TSU President Glenda Glover said Christion’s improving health is “an example of what the power of prayer can do.”

“The TSU Family is extremely happy to hear that football player Christion Abercrombie is continuing to improve,” she said. “The news couldn’t have come at a better time than during our homecoming week. The entire TSU Family has had Christion on our minds throughout the entire planning process of the last few weeks. Again, this is great news. We ask that everyone keep praying for Christion, and his family, as he moves to the next phase of care and ultimately makes a full recovery.”

TSU head football coach Rod Reed expressed similar sentiment.

“This is, in my opinion, a miracle that he’s being discharged after such a traumatic experience,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a speedy recovery.”

Prayer for Christion has been ongoing. Shortly after the injury, the TSU family held a prayer vigil for him, and the university’s National Alumni Association called for a special day of prayer

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Christion and his family. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/tennessee-state-univ-athletics-dept.

Department of Media Relations

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With more than 8,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.