Jefferey Cox attending first game since he was paralyzed 'emotional for all of us'

ERIN — Jefferey Cox knew he wanted to be at Houston County's football game Friday night, but he wasn't sure if he would be emotionally ready for it.

More than a year ago Cox was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle for Houston County in a scrimmage against Jo Byrns.

Friday's game was going to be Cox's return to the Houston County sidelines for the first time since the day he was injured.

Houston County's opponent ... Jo Byrns.

COURAGE AWARD:Jefferey Cox 'a normal kid' despite paralysis from football tackle

"I was scared to put it honestly," said Cox, who was surrounded by family and friends during Houston County's 35-14 victory. "I wasn't sure how I'd feel. I knew I wanted to go. I wanted to be here out of respect for both programs. But I wasn't sure what it would feel like for me.

“It feels good to be back out here. ... It hasn’t been bad at all. I realized just how important it is for me to be back out here.”

His broad smile was evident as Houston County scored two early touchdowns to go up 14-0 in the first quarter. And rarely did that smile go away as Houston County remained perfect this season at 4-0.

"I was emotional when Houston County ran out on the field during pregame warmups," Cox's mother, Alicia Parker, said. "I knew it was going to be tough for me. But I want to support Jefferey and I've been keeping it together for the most part.

"I think the fear was all of the memories. Jefferey didn't finish this game out. He has a younger brother who has been affected by it, a sister ... it's just emotional for all of us."

It was Cox who broached the subject of attending the game. It was a request Parker couldn't turn down despite her own reservations throughout the week.

"I'm never going to say no to Jefferey," Parker said. "He wanted to come and so I said yes. But I talked with my husband and told him I don't think I can come. It was going to be too emotional for me. My husband said he'd go."

But Parker changed her mind and decided Thursday to attend the game. Her husband stayed at home to get over an illness.

"I'm glad I came with Jefferey," she said.

Cox's recovery is an ongoing process that Parker has described as slow and often made more difficult with a variety of illnesses. But Cox said he's been in good health and good spirits the past week.

"I love football," he said. "I wanted to be here. I wanted to show the guys my support because they've been so supportive of me."

And the communities around Erin have shown their support during the past year, including Cedar Hill where Jo Byrns is located.

It was former Jo Byrns athletic trainer Alex West who helped save Cox's life as he lay motionless on Jo Byrns' field. West is still a constant presence in Cox's life although he was unable to attend Friday's game.

Parker said her son still struggles with stamina and she and her husband often struggle to have her son's medical needs covered by insurance. 

"He gets exhausted, especially in humidity like tonight," Parker said. "He goes to school (at Austin Peay) so he has his studies. On Sundays he doesn't get out of bed."

Parker and Cox left the game early in the fourth quarter with Houston County holding a 28-6 lead.

"We're only a year into this and there's still hope for Jefferey," Parker said. "He has the potential to get some feeling or movement back. His spinal cord wasn't severed so it could take two years before we see anything, or it could take up to six. So we're hoping and praying."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.