Former Hardin Valley football player paralyzed in diving accident

Trey Byrd is facing the biggest challenge of his young life.

While vacationing at Alligator Point near Tallahassee, Florida, on May 29, he went for a dive in the cooling water. Unfortunately, it was a shallow dive. He hit his head, breaking his spine at the C6 vertebra, paralyzing him from the chest down. 

He was airlifted to a nearby trauma hospital, where his family rallies around him.

Byrd is a 2011 graduate of Hardin Valley Academy, where he was a well-liked member of the football team.

He attended Sewanee: The University of the South, where he participated in the Student Government Association. The 28-year-old works in finance in Atlanta.

A Facebook page “Pray4Trey” was opened by a family friend requesting prayers for Byrd. The group is updated regularly by family members. The page quickly grew to nearly 2,000 members, with prayer notations coming as far away as Kenya.

About 100 people gathered June 6 at a prayer vigil led by pastors Matt Grimes and Noah Case at Hardin Valley Elementary to show their love and support for Byrd.

Byrd’s sister Peyton Byrd said Trey was an upbeat young man with an adventurer’s heart.

“Trey is always laughing, always happy. He loves to play jokes and joke around.

“He loves to hike and is very adventurous. He runs every day and loves to hike. He’s just a lot of fun, always the life of the party.”

She said the family is stunned that this happened.

“You don’t think this is going to happen to you or to someone you love, but it does.”

The family is asking for prayers, relying on their faith to get through this challenging time.

“We just want prayers … prayers for progress. We have faith and believe in a faithful God. We are trusting in Him and relying on Him to get us through this.”

Trey initially had a tough time accepting his injuries mentally and physically, but has now rallied his determination to heal.

“He is motivated and he is determined, and that is what it’s going to take,” Peyton said.

There is hope for progress. Trey is now able to move his wrists and touch his thumbs to his forefingers and sits in a chair for hours at a time. He has even traveled outside to see the sky.

Trey is scheduled to be admitted to Shepherd Center in Atlanta. The rehabilitation center is ranked top 10 for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Info: Find “Pray4Trey” on Facebook.