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Star Player Recovering at Erlanger from Brain Injury

568 views · Published 1 November 2012 · 2:41 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John Madewell  A Knoxville high school football star is recovering at Erlanger Medical Center from a serious brain injury. Senior Will McKamey suffered the brain bleed Friday night in Grace Christian Academy's game against South Pittsburg.McKamey is not only a standout player, but also a stellar student. With a 4.3 GPA, he's a candidate for valedictorian at Grace Christian and he's headed to the Naval Academy.His father, Randy McKamey, who is also Grace Christian's head coach, said he didn't see any helmet-to-helmet hits or even one hit in particular to cause this injury.But the couple believes their first-born will bounce back because he's strong-willed. Late in the game McKamey took a hit. His father said it was possibly a play where a defender tackled him from behind, but nothing that stood out.The senior to the sideline and told a coach his legs felt tingly. His father explained what happened next. "Took a play or two off, went back in, scored a touchdown and came over halfway to me, we dialed up a two-point play, ran a counter-option to him. He just walked in the end zone, but he said before the snap he went deaf, couldn't hear."Then, things got dark, the star running back collapsed and went into seizures. He had suffered a brain bleed. LifeForce flew to South Pittsburg and rushed him to Erlanger Medical Center. At that point, the McKamey's were  stepping into the unknown.Tears welled up in Randy McKamey's eyes when he thought back to that moment, "On the way over and just preparing for the worst, but it's been really, really nothing but good news by the hour since Friday."In that time frame, Will McKamey has made an astounding turn for the better. After about an hour Friday night, he was awake and alert. Through the night, doctors looked at the brain scan over and over.   Great news -- no more swelling. The family prayed and met with the doctor who decided surgery wasn't needed. His mother, Kara McKamey, sensed that decision was coming. She said, "I felt peaceful and faithful that God didn't intend for him to have surgery pretty much from the beginning."Yesterday was his best day by far. But his dad said overdoing it with visits and activity made for a rough night.   He's still fragile with a numb place on his face, but he's resting in a regular room.His parents are amazed at the damage the brain scan shows yet their son is up, talking and seems to be his normal self. His father knows why, "As strong as he is on the field and everybody that knows Will knows that he's a fighter, I said he'll be the same kid in that room as he is on the field."The support has been outstanding from the Knoxville area and beyond. The brother of UT head coach Derek Dooley sent a text of support. The family is extremely thankful for the outpouring.Given his personality, his mother said keeping this strong-willed senior calm and resting will stand as the family's biggest challenge. "He thinks he's fine, he thinks he's Superman."Tomorrow morning, doctors will scan Will's brain. His family expects him to leave Erlanger at some point this week.He's scheduled to come back for another scan in about three weeks. His dad hopes he can step onto the field for one play if Grace Christian Academy remains in the playoffs. He believes his son will play again, for Navy.

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