SPRING, Texas -- The book on Kevin Everett already had been written when Oprah Winfrey wrapped his fairy-tale story in a pretty bow.

Everett was supposed to be a quadriplegic, perhaps dead. On opening day of the 2007 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills tight end lay incapacitated on the 20-yard line at Ralph Wilson Stadium. His neck was broken, his spinal cord twisted.

A few radical medical procedures and five months later, Everett walked triumphantly into Oprah's arms. The dramatic moment was a pop-culture benediction. It was part of Oprah's "A Day of Miracles."

At the time Oprah welcomed Everett in January 2008, a paperback about his astonishing recovery was published. Biographies usually are comprehensive accounts. "Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story" by Sam Carchidi indicated normalcy and even dared to wonder if Everett could play football again.

He was OK and only going to get better, departing Oprah's stage during the commercial break ostensibly to lead a life of happiness and run marathons and play golf every weekend and do whatever else former NFL players do when their careers are over.

Or so America would imagine.

Everett married his college sweetheart, and they have two daughters.

But his physical recovery reached its plateau while nobody was looking.

Everett can walk. But he can't run. He can feed himself. But his digestive system doesn't work right. He can pick up his little girls (for now) and hug his wife. But his hands and feet are numb. He's on anti-seizure medication to control muscles that involuntarily quake.

"It's not a sad story. It's a happy story," said Dr. Andrew Cappuccino, the orthopedic surgeon who spearheaded Everett's immediate care. "But a year down the road, two years down the road, everyone forgets."

Everett was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in December 2007. He took his book tour to "Good Morning America" and "ABC World News" and the Barnes & Noble on Niagara Falls Boulevard, received a standing ovation at the ESPY Awards and then pretty much went off the grid. Read More...

A former tight end for the Buffalo Bills will speak at MCCC on September 10 about the career-ending injury that changed his life.  

Kevin Everett began a lucrative professional football career with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills in 2005.  But three short years later, it was all taken away by one hit that left him paralyzed. 

Given only a 5-10 percent chance of recovery, Everett turned the catastrophic injury into a faith-filled purpose for living.  He has since regained the use of his arms and legs and now has a new life as a professional speaker, giving a voice to others who have spinal cord injuries and providing insight to doctors interested in his recovery.

Everett’s presentation, entitled “Faith Speaks,” will begin at 7 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater on the MCCC Main Campus, which is located at 1555 S. Raisinville Rd.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, and proceeds benefit scholarship opportunities at Monroe County Community College.  They can be purchased online at www.monroeccc.edu/theater, via phone at (734) 384-4272 or in person at the MCCC Cashier’s Office in the Warrick Student Services/Administration Building.  There is a $3 fee for online orders.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door, if available.

Everett’s appearance is sponsored by Interventional Pain Management Associates, P.C. – Dr. Lesly Pompy, M.D., MBA, CPE, MSF.


(monroe.wtol.com)