BREMEN, Ga. — A Carroll County high school football player was seriously injured when he was tackled during Friday's football game.
Bremen High School Principal Tim Huff said quarterback Carson Kimball had to be rushed to Grady Hospital during the school's rival game against Bowdon.
He said hundreds of students and staff showed up to the football field Sunday morning to pray for Kimball's recovery. Huff said he was at Friday's game. He said there were thousands of fans packed at Redding Field cheering on the Blue Devils. Huff said he didn't feel the tackle was out of the ordinary.
"Sometimes, you see a hit and you think it's shock and awe. It wasn't that, but we immediately knew he was hurt. There was no movement," Huff said.
Huff said the crowd went silent as Kimball received medical attention. Huff visited Kimball at the hospital Sunday and said Kimball still had no feeling in his lower body.
The community is already wrapping its arms around Kimball. Emily Wheeler is the CEO and owner of Downtown Southern Outfitters.
"The first thing I thought was, 'What can we do?'" Wheeler said.
Within hours of finding out what happened, Wheeler called her team, designed a shirt, launched a t-shirt fundraiser, and sent out the link. She's already received over 600 orders.
"Dings are going off every second, at this point," Wheeler said.
Manager Kayler Pate said she once walked Bremen High's halls. She said it just goes to show that a small town can come together.
"We're just glad to be able to support in any way we can. We hope that they know that, no matter what, we're here for them," Pate said.
Huff said Kimball's coaches describe him as a great leader, an influencer, and a hard worker who's often early and stays late. He'll be missed at Friday's homecoming game, but the fun will go on, just as Kimball would have wanted it.
Huff said he spoke to Kimball in the hospital after waiting in a long line of visitors.
"I said 'Carson, what would you tell your classmates?' And says, 'Tell them I love them. And that I'll be walking out of this place soon.'"
Huff said there will be a barbecue fundraiser at the homecoming game.
Wheel said the shirts will be handed out at the game. However, you the store must receive your order by noon Wednesday.
All proceeds from both fundraisers will go to the family.
There is also an online fundraiser for Kimball here.