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Teen who broke neck in football practice says knew he would walk again

By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com
By Erica Bryant, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nine months ago Thursday, a 19-year-old from Charlotte suffered a devastating injury during football practice at Winston Salem State University.

Marquise Gaddy, a graduate of Mallard Creek High School, had dreams of playing in college and then going on to the pros.

In an exclusive interview, he allowed Eyewitness News anchor Erica Bryant to take a look at his training on the road to recovery – and shared his new goals for the future.

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Sept. 23, 2015, is a day that Marquise Gaddy won’t forget. During a tackling drill, he broke his neck in two places and damaged three vertebrae in his spine.

"I remember laying on the ground. I couldn't move or talk,” Gaddy said.

For a time, it left him paralyzed, physically but not mentally.

"I never had a doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be walking or doing what I like to do. My mind never went to anything negative,” Gaddy said.

Despite doctors’ doubts, he progressed from being bedridden to running full speed ahead. Now, three days a week he spends hours in physical therapy.  It is a grueling workout that fires up every muscle in his body.

Shawn Minick, Gaddy’s physical therapist, says that he could tell from the start that Gaddy was motivated to get to his peak and that he was not going to settle for 80 percent -- he was going to work hard to get all the way back.

With the type of severe spinal cord injury that Gaddy had, Minick said his story could have turned out much differently. Many patients may not regain movement after something like this.

Gaddy calls his therapy sessions “grind time.” He said he doesn’t want to get back to where he was physically. He wants to be even better than before.

Originally, Marquise’s goal was to go to college, to play football, graduate and  go on to play in the NFL.

Now, he plans to return to Winston-Salem State University this fall where he will begin again as a freshman.  He says education is his top priority and he plans to work toward a 3.5 GPA. His goal is make the Dean’s List every semester.

As for football, he is not sure if that will remain a part of his long-term plan. For now, he said he is waiting to make any further decisions about returning to the field.

Meanwhile, on his long journey back to health, he remains humble and grateful.

“I thank everyone for the prayers, support and everything,” Gaddy said. “It truly has helped.”

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