Preston is one of those kids who will have an easy time becoming a (Division I) athlete if he is given the correct structure and direction. In a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jr. Trojans head coach Brandon Jones stated that there is no doubt about it.
However, he has been forced to give up the game he loves due to a catastrophic incident that occurred in front of an elementary school and close to his Cobb County home.
Credit: Participated
Credit: Participated
Preston suffered numerous injuries after being hit by a cargo van on June 23 while crossing the street. These included a ruptured aorta, broken ribs, a fractured left femur, a fractured left knee, a torn right anterior cruciate ligament, a fractured right tibia, a laceration to his liver that resulted in blood pooling in his abdomen, bruised lungs that caused blood clots, and road rash. However, according to one of his physicians, the leg injuries might be the most detrimental to his bright football future.
Preston came home from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite over a month later. He started what is anticipated to be an arduous course of physical therapy on July 24. For young athletes who sustain serious injuries, the experience is all too familiar.
Can Preston make a comeback to football? He’s going to learn.
Dr. Prashant Raghavendran, a pediatric hematologist who has been involved with Preston’s treatment from the beginning, stated, “My goal is not to crush his dreams and allow him to heal and get back to where he needs to be, even if it’s going to take quite a while.”
The most scariest, devastating call that I ve gotten
Preston never went anywhere by himself. However, he and his younger sister were able to walk the ten minutes to Davis Elementary School because his parents had recently granted him some independence.
Preston just wanted to shoot some baskets that June afternoon. He claimed that he practiced the maneuvers he saw his favorite player, LeBron James, make at the school’s lone basketball goal, which is located behind the parking lot where the buses queue up.
Just before 4 p.m., Bernice Veal was wrapping up her job when her son’s phone rang.
She recalled that it was the most terrifying and devastating call she had ever received. I replied, “Hey buddy, like any other day, but it wasn’t his voice, it was someone else.”
According to the caller, Preston was hit by a car as he was crossing the street. The van struck him on Jamerson Road, just east of Turtle Rock Drive, according to police. A crosswalk crosses Jamerson Road heading toward Preston’s neighborhood just in front of the school.
Eric Smith, a Cobb police spokeswoman, stated that the incident is still being investigated and that the driver has not been charged.
The community’s campaign for a protected crossing has made Preston its face. A temporary speed monitor was erected by police close to the location. By the end of the year, the Department of Transportation will install rectangular quick flashing beacons—signage that flashes to warn cars about pedestrians—according to Cobb County spokesperson Ross Cavitt.
Bernice Veal has been afraid to leave her son’s side ever since the incident because she thinks anything might happen while she’s gone. For a month, she suspended her work as a dialysis clinic nurse in order to give Preston’s recuperation her whole attention.
High expectations in football
Preston used to be able to essentially bring his opponent down with his fingertips. He laughed when he mentioned that his favorite part of football was getting to punch people during a recent physical therapy session.
That seems far away now.
Regarding Preston’s capacity to excite college scouts, Jones remarked, “I don’t see why not if he’s able to recover from this situation and get back on the field so he can go to the next level.”
The Veal family is known for its athleticism. Bernice Veal claimed that while her husband, Damien Veal, played basketball in college, she ran track and played soccer at Mississippi State University. According to doctors, Preston might grow to be six feet seven.
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Megan Wagers, the mom of the Jr. Trojans squad, stated that Preston’s size is the only reason why kids don’t want to face him. Most recently, he had been playing both defensive and offensive line.
Jones, who took over as head coach this year after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator the previous season, stated that if Preston can return to the field by then, college recruiters will begin to take notice.
Because of what we’ve seen from the spring games and the summer conditioning, we all had great hopes for Preston this season, Jones said.
In a hospital bed
Preston, who was usually a riot of fun among his friends and family, fell silent in the hospital. According to his mother, he slept through the pain, kept a mournful expression, and lost interest in TV and even video games.
The only thing he appeared to be unable to stop thinking about was football. According to Bernice Veal, her son frequently inquired about when he would be allowed to return to the field, and Jones claimed that Preston woke up from dreams in which he was involved in football exercises.
However, if Preston wants to resume playing, the young star must walk as much as he can, perform leg and calf raises, massage his quadriceps to aid in healing and loosening, and bend his knees, according to children’s physical therapist Anzika Tuliva.
Preston pointed to his parents and smirked as he remarked, “They’re going to do it,” in reference to the deep tissue massages.
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Given Preston’s severe condition, Raghavendran clarified that there is a chance of reinjury, especially given his ruptured ACL and additional leg problems.
According to Raghavendran, he needs to exercise extreme caution because he has had serious bony injuries to both of his legs and now has a ligamentous injury that could put him at risk for serious reinjury.
Preston claimed that despite having a completely ruptured ACL, he had no discomfort in his right leg, but when he attempted to stretch his left leg during physical therapy, the muscles remained tight and uncomfortable.
He will have a successful recovery
Things won’t resume where they left off, even if Preston is cleared to resume playing football. Jones stated that he will need to set new objectives and recondition himself.
Although it was a challenging conversation, Bernice Veal said her son realizes that football is not an option this season.
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
“I am confident that he will recover well and could return to the field next year,” she said.
The Lassiter football community has stepped up in the interim. In order to help the family with their mountain of medical costs, Wagers set up meal deliveries and started a GoFundMe campaign.
Since returning home, Bernice said, her son has been making jokes while still acting like the bashful person he usually is around other people. She is glad to see his personality coming through once more.
Before Preston can resume certain daily activities, he will need to attend physical therapy three times a week for three to six months. However, Tuliva stated that he won’t be able to run, jump, ride his bike, and engage in other demanding activities until the ACL tear is completely repaired, which may take additional time.
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Credit: AJC/HYOSUB SHIN
Even with his left leg in a brace, he can currently walk short distances and climb stairs with a small wobble.
Preston still plans to play football with the club till then. Despite not knowing how the season will proceed without somebody his stature on the field, he stated that he will go to games.
Despite being a shy child who typically dislikes the attention, he was appointed an honorary team captain and will take part in the coin toss at the beginning of games, which he said he is looking forward to.
His mother stated, “I do see him at the sidelines sitting, whether in a chair, wherever, and cheering on his teammates.”
