HIGH SCHOOL

Skyler Merrell of Gibbs honored for courage in wake of brothers' death

Chris Thomas
USA TODAY Network - Tennessee

Family and football are shelters for Gibbs High School's Skyler Merrell.

Merrell, a junior offensive lineman, was amongst both on Wednesday night while being presented the Eddie Courtney Courage Award, given annually during the PrepXtra football banquet inside Neyland Stadium's Wolf-Kaplan Center.

From left, Gibbs football player Oliver Lane, coach Brad Conley and Gibbs football player Skyler Merrell pose for a photo at the end of the PrepXtra football awards banquet Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Wolf Kaplan Center in Neyland Stadium.

The award, named after Farragut coach and cancer survivor Eddie Courtney, honors players and coaches who exemplify courage in the face of daunting obstacles.

"We're moving along slowly," said Merrell, who accepted the award after an emotional 2-minute video tribute. "As the 1-year mark comes along, it gets harder. But I think we're making strides in the right direction."

Rick Merrell, father of Gibbs football player Skyler Merrell, listens as the Eddie Courtney Courage Award is presented to his son at the PrepXtra football awards banquet Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Wolf Kaplan Center in Neyland Stadium. Skyler Merrell's brothers died in a car accident that he was also involved in last winter.

The News Sentinel chronicled Merrell's story in an article published Oct. 13.

It was Feb. 24 when a quick car ride went awry. The single-car accident killed Merrell's older brother, Austin, and his younger brother, Andy. Skyler and best friend Clay Church were severely injured after a strong gust of wind pushed the family's Chevrolet Blazer across a blind hill on East Emory Road and head-on into a concrete culvert.

Ensuing weeks felt like a blur. Merrell struggled to cope with the loss of his brothers, and his internal injuries were so severe that playing football as a junior was in doubt. But Merrell, with Church by his side, persevered.

The night terrors and post traumatic stress syndrome that followed were hurdles, but he cleared them with help from a tight-knit Gibbs football community and an even closer family.

Gibbs football player Skyler Merrell shakes hands with presenters after receiving the Eddie Courtney Courage Award at the PrepXtra football awards banquet Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in the Wolf Kaplan Center in Neyland Stadium. Merrell's brothers died in a car accident that he was also involved in last winter.

Money was raised in droves to support the Merrells, and Skyler Merrell worked relentlessly to return to the football field this season. He started football games for Gibbs during its stunning run to the Region 2-5A championship.

"It helps not to keep everything locked up inside you; you'll go crazy if you do," Merrell said. "Football's a great outlet, with all my friends there. They all just help me every day when I was down."

Chris Thomas covers high school sports. Follow him on Twitter: @christhomasKNS.