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Georgia City Declares ‘Christion Abercrombie Day’ to Honor Injured TSU Football Player

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The City of South Fulton, Georgia, has declared December 19 ‘Christion Abercrombie Day,’ in honor of injured Tennessee State University football player Christion Abercrombie.

South Fulton City Mayor William “Bill” Edwards, right, welcomes Christion Abercrombie to his office. (Submitted Photo)

City Mayor William “Bill” Edwards recently made the proclamation during a ceremony at Westlake High School, where the TSU linebacker graduated.

Abercrombie, an Atlanta native, rose to national prominence last year after suffering a severe brain injury in TSU’s game against Vanderbilt on Sept. 29.  His remarkable recovery was described as a miracle.

In a statement at the Westlake ceremony, Abercrombie said he feels great.

“I thank God. I feel amazing,” he said. “I thank everybody for coming out, my friends and family.  I just thank everybody for their support and prayers.”

In addition to Mayor Edwards, several city dignitaries, and the South Fulton School Board president and members attended the event.  TSU head football coach Rod Reed, along with some members of his coaching staff, as well as Abercrombie’s little league tag football coach, also attended the program. Gus Morris, an SEC official, who regularly visited Abercrombie during his recovery, attended the Christion Abercrombie Day ceremony.

Christion Abercrombie, left, Gus Morris, SEC oficial; and Rod Reed, TSU Head Football Coach, attend “Christion Abercrombie Day” in South Fulton, Georgia. (Submitted Photo)

Staci Abercrombie, Christion’s mother, said she wants ‘Christion Abercrombie Day’ to be special to everyone in South Fulton.

“This is a city that we both grew up in,” she said.  “We are from Atlanta, and it was annexed two years ago, and I want everyone to know if you have faith in God and you are one who can fight and be a pillar of the community, you are honored in such a way. Christion exemplifies all of that.  He’s given so much to this community, not just through football, but as a student-athlete and we are just very thankful that today we celebrate Christion Abercrombie Day.”

During this year’s Homecoming at TSU, Christion was honored as a grand marshal, and received a Special Presidential Recognition from TSU President Glenda Glover. HBCU Digest also named Christion “Male Athlete of the Year,” during the organization’s annual honoring gala in Washington, D.C.

Christian’s family has announced the formation of the “Christion Abercrombie Foundation,” a nonprofit organization to assist families dealing with brain injuries.

“The mission of the foundation is to bring awareness to traumatic brain injury through education and outreach to families and patients,” Staci Abercrombie said. “What we have learned is that there are severe cases, like Christion’s was. We want to partner with medical staff, coaches and therapists on how everyone can work together in providing the necessary care.”

As part of his quest to obtain a degree in sports medicine, Christion Abercrombie currently takes online courses at TSU.

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Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State UniversityFounded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a  premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees.  TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee.  With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students  with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

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TSU football player Christion Abercrombie transferred to rehab center, continuing to improve

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University football player Christion Abercrombie has been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Atlanta.

According to a release from the Shepherd Center, the 20-year-old student-athlete was moved from Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Oct. 17. Before the move, he was upgraded from critical to stable condition.

Christion sustained a brain injury during Tennessee State’s football game with Vanderbilt University on Sept. 29.

He was admitted to Shepherd Center’s Intensive Care Unit for evaluation, care and observation.

“Soon, he will move into the hospital’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, where he will begin therapy under the guidance of a full team of medical and rehabilitation specialists,” according to the Center.

The facility specializes in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury or brain injury. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation.

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 reiterated that sentiment in a recent statement.

“We truly appreciate all of the love, support and prayers from everyone,” she said. “This has given the family the strength needed to be able to care for Christion. This injury was not expected, but God has prepared us and will continue to provide us with his healing power. We know that it’s a miracle that our son is here today. Please continue to pray for Christion’s full recovery.”

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,” Glover 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.”

Prayer for Christion has been ongoing. Shortly after the incident, 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

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

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.

 

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Mother of injured football player says her faith keeps her hopeful

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – The mother of injured TSU football player Christion Abercrombie says she’s optimistic about his recovery because of her faith.

Christion Abercrombie

Staci Abercrombie spoke at a press conference on Oct. 3 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where her son, Christion Abercrombie, is being treated. The linebacker suffered a head injury in the Tennessee State-Vanderbilt game on Sept. 29 and remains in critical condition.

“We’re expecting a miracle,” said Staci Abercrombie, who appeared on ‘The Today Show’ the next morning.  “Each day is a battle. But he’s a strong young man. He’s fighting. We just have to continue to pray.”

Also at the press conference was Christion’s father, Derrick Abercrombie, several family members, and TSU officials: President Glenda Glover, Athletics Director Teresa Phillips, and head football Coach Rod Reed.

One of Christion’s doctors, Reid Thompson, professor and chair of neurological surgery at VUMC, also attended the press conference and told Staci Abercrombie and her family that “you inspire us,” referring to their strong faith.

The night before, the TSU Family held a prayer vigil for Christion. Those gathered in the Courtyard outside the university’s student center held hands as Dr. Joseph W. Walker, III, a pastor and chairman of TSU’s Board of Trustees, led them in prayer.

President Glover asked for continued prayer for the student-athlete and his family.

Students gather for prayer vigil. (Photo by Lucas Johnson, TSU Media Relations)

“We want the entire family to know that we’re standing with them,” she said. “Christion is a fighter. We will continue to support him and his family.”

Several of Christion’s family members attended the event.

“We are very grateful for everyone being here tonight,” said his uncle, Kevin Richardson. “We appreciate all the love we’ve received from everyone.”

TSU student Braxton Simpson said students are hopeful about Christion’s recovery.

“We’re trying to keep our hopes high,” said Simpson, who is the student trustee on TSU’s Board. “In times like this, the best thing we can do is just rally around each other, and pray.”

TSU’s National Alumni Association called for a special day of prayer for Christion on Friday, Oct. 5.

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

 

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

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.