MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A South Florida high school football player suffered a devastating injury on the football field last month and now his family has provided an update on his recovery as a community continues to rally behind him.
It was Frederick “Cheeks” Climpson’s first JV game for Homestead Senior High School. His sister Asia Climpson said he was very excited for the game and especially excited when he scored his first touchdown.
It’s the moment he had waited for.
“It (football) was his passion, he loved it,” Asia Climpson told Local 10 News last month.
However, Climpson wouldn’t finish his first game. During the third quarter, he collided helmet-to-helmet with another player. Climpson broke his neck and injured his spine. The 15-year-old sophomore was rushed to the hospital.
Climpson was able to move his shoulders, but family members told Local 10 News last month that he was placed a ventilator and a feeding tube following the incident.
Over a month since his injury, Local 10 News spoke with Climpson’s grandfather, Willie, who gave an encouraging update on his grandson Friday.
“He’s starting to eat which makes me feel much better because he wasn’t eating when he first got the injury,” Willie said. “His morale, it picks up when he sees his girlfriend. It makes him smile and that makes me smile.”
Former Football players from Christopher Columbus Senior High raised thousands of dollars for Climpson to help with the medical costs and long-term care.
“Very proud of our brothers,” said football coach Ed Lopez. “You know, we stand strong in solidarity, and we want Frederick to know we have his back.
Hanging on the wall in Climpson’s hospital room is a “get well soon” banner, signed by his peers from school and a helmet signed by his teammates.
All of his teammates wear his number 4 on their helmets as a nod to Climpson, who remains in rehab following his injury.
Climpson, just a teen himself, has already had a huge impact on loved ones coming up after him in the game of football.
Climpson’s uncle Donnie Harrison says his nephew’s injury has been hard on his younger brothers and cousins. Family has pulled them from the sport right now while Frederick recovers.
“We have to protect them as parents because it’s just too much to deal with in one household when you are already dealing with such tragedy,” said Harrison.
Asia Climpson has started a GofundMe for her brother. If you would like to donate, click here.