Baylor Bramble honored as Siegel visits Warren County

Warren County and Siegel high schools were linked together nearly two years ago after a head injury changed the life of one Tennessee high school football player.

Former Siegel football player Baylor Bramble suffered a severe head injury on Oct. 23, 2015, collapsing on the sidelines near the end of the Stars' 44-14 win over Warren County in McMinnville.

It was Bramble's first career start.

A week ago, Siegel's football program returned to McMinnville for the first time since the injury, which Bramble is still slowly recovering from at his family's Murfreesboro home.

But in a heartwarming homecoming ceremony, the school presented a check to Siegel for the Bramble family for $3,080. The money was raised by Warren County's senior class.

"We wanted to do a fundraiser," said Warren County senior Allison Cripps, who also was named homecoming queen. "We found out we were playing Siegel on homecoming night and thought we would recognize the family and honor (Baylor).

"We've been following him on Twitter. His dad posts a lot of updates."

A look back: Baylor Bramble receives Kaia Jergenson Courage Award 

Cripps said the money was raised in about two weeks.

"We put a post on Facebook and there was so much reaction to it," Warren County senior Hope Mullican said. "It was shared so much. Businesses messaged us and told us they wanted a donation box.

"I was shocked how many people wanted to help."

Siegel athletic director Greg Wyant and Northside Baptist Church youth pastor Nick Mobley accepted the check. Wyant was the Stars' football coach when the injury occurred. Mobley is Bramble's youth pastor. Bramble's father, David, is also a pastor at the Murfreesboro church.

The elder Bramble recently said his son has been able to "gain some new movement with his arms, and he gained the ability to hold his head up unassisted. While this may seem like small gains; they are some of his biggest in quite some time."

Wyant said while Baylor's injury affected the Siegel community, the check presentation showed it also had an impact on Warren County.

"It made an impression on the Warren County kids," Wyant said. "That's probably the first time they've ever been a part of an accident like that.

"There is now a connection between Warren County and Siegel that I don't know will ever go away."

Reach Tom Kreager at tkreager@tennessean.com and 615-259-8089 or on Twitter @Kreager.