Devon Gales sustained a serious spinal injury and neck fractures in a collision on special teams in Southern's game against Georgia on Saturday.
Gales was transported to Athens Regional Hospital immediately where he remains. His neck was stabilized and he has movement in his upper body.
Southern released a statement on Sunday updating his health status.
"Gales suffered several fractures in his neck that were stabilized," read the statement. "He continues to have movement in his upper body and remains in good spirits and will remain at Athens Regional until he is released to return to Baton Rouge for further treatment."
The University of Georgia paid to fly Gales' family out to Athens on Saturday night and then drove them to the hospital, according to Dawg Nation. Georgia coach Mark Richt, other members of the coaching staff and team chaplains have visited Gales in the hospital on Sunday.
“We’re trying to cover him up with as much love as we can, and let him know that we care, let him know that we’re here to help,” Richt told Dawg Nation. “We’re just gonna continue to pray, and I know the Bulldog nation is behind him as well. There may come a time where there may be some needs. Not exactly sure yet. But it does come to that I’m going to be calling all Dawgs to get involved and to help out.”
