I was admittedly a fan of his when he played against us. I always appreciated his work ethic on court. With that said...
-He’s learned a lot since last June 29, when a single-vehicle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Before, Young was a 6-foot-9 bundle of muscle, faith and energy looking to fulfill a calling.
“Having a message that can impact hearts,” Young said.
He wasn’t sure how to do it. Now he’s found out the hard way.
“Going through this life change,” Young said, “has given me a lot to talk about.”
Young told the audience about his life before the accident. How he played for a rival high school that held University Christian to three points in the first half.
How he went to Florida and became the SEC Defensive Player of the Year on the court and an Academic All-American off it.
How he played pro ball in Italy, Greece, Israel before retiring three years ago. How he became a studio host for the SEC Network.
Auto accident changes everything
How everything changed one morning on a rural Nebraska road.
Young hit the brakes, lost control, the truck flipped, and his lofty frame was compressed against the top.
“Is this real?” Young thought as he waited for help. “This is not supposed to happen. Not to me. Not to Patric Young.”
His T7 and T8 vertebrae were dislocated. Young underwent eight hours of surgery and weeks of hospitalization and rehab before returning to his Jacksonville home.
That’s when he got a phone call. Jimmy Dykes, an SEC Network colleague, fought back tears as he talked to his friend.
Patric Young was paralyzed in a traffic accident last year. Now the ex-Gator basketball star is setting an example of optimism for a larger audience.
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Prayers for him in hopes he can walk again