NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christion Abercrombie’s life changed forever when he suffered a traumatic brain injury during a college football game three years ago. On Saturday, his life changed yet again as he checked off a major milestone.
The Atlanta native received his degree in interdisciplinary studies from Tennessee State University and walked across the stage with his family in attendance.
“I feel very happy and blessed to be graduating with my undergraduate degree from TSU,” Abercrombie said in an interview with TSU. “I thank my parents, and everybody for their prayers and support.”
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Channel 2 Action News has been following Abercrombie’s story since the very beginning. Abercrombie suffered a head injury on a routine play in Tennessee State’s game against Vanderbilt in September 2018.
Abercrombie went to the sideline during the first half, told trainers he had a headache and collapsed. The Westlake High School graduate had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery.
Doctors determined that Abercrombie suffered from a number of strokes and had a severe brain injury. His chances of making it through the night were slim. But Abercrombie didn’t give up and his family never lost their faith.
Abercrombie did more than survive. He underwent surgery and progressed quickly. He was eventually discharged and transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to begin rehabilitation for his injury.
Abercrombie graduated from the center a few months later.
“I had problems with memory in the beginning, but now it’s coming back to me,” Abercrombie told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington in an interview after he returned home. “Believe in God because without him nothing is possible. He made everything happen for me.”
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