A suburban high school football player left the field in an ambulance, but it wasn’t after a big hit: it was after the game! He was in a coma for days, and although he’s making progress now, his parents are detailing his fight to our NBC 5’s Kate Chappell.
A St. Charles North High School football player who suffered a "severe brain injury" last month during a game has returned home as he awaits a second surgery, his family said.
Aidan Carlson, a sophomore running back and linebacker, collapsed Oct. 4 after suffering an unspecified injury following a game at St. Charles East.
"He finished the game and collapsed," his uncle Sean Peters told NBC 5. "It wasn't like it was one hit that caused this injury."
Carlson was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where he underwent emergency neurosurgery. Days later, Peters said Carlson beat the odds and opened his eyes.
Carlson has since returned home, Peters said, arriving to a large "Welcome home Aidan" sign in his yard.
"He’s doing really good! We’re so happy he’s home and recovering so well," Peters wrote in a text to NBC 5.
Carlson is undergoing physical, speech and occupational therapy at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton.
"They’re amazing!" Peters said. "Next for him will be a second surgery to reconnect the part of his skull that was removed when the original surgery was performed."
Peters said the family continues to pray for a full recovery.
