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Tuesday, November 3, 2026Nov 3

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Southern’s Gales in good spirits despite partial paralysis

Southern wide receiver Devon Gales (33) is taken off the field after he was injured in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia  Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Southern wide receiver Devon Gales (33) is taken off the field after he was injured in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Southern wide receiver Devon Gales (33) is taken off the field after he was injured in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

ATLANTA (AP) – Southern University football player Devon Gales wants supporters to know he’s in good spirits despite a paralyzing neck injury.

Though his body movement is limited mostly to wrists, shoulders and biceps, Gales is telling family members and friends that he hopes to make a full recovery.

Family friend Kimberly August said Thursday that, “People are calling to check on him, upset about his injury and he’s consoling them.”

Spinal cord specialist Dr. Brock Bowman, Gales’ attending physician at the Shepherd Center, expects he will be hospitalized at least eight weeks.

Bowman says it’s too early to make a prognosis for recovery. Gales broke his sixth cervical vertebra in Saturday’s game at Georgia. He underwent successful surgery Sunday.

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On the Web:

https://netcommunity.sus.edu/the-devon-gales-fund

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org