Damarcus Thomas’ mom offers words of thanks for prayers and support
OXFORD, Miss. — It’s something most of us cannot even imagine — being told your child has suffered a serious injury while playing football and has no feeling or movement in his extremities. That is the news Shandra Jones received about her son Damarcus Thomas, a freshman tight end for the Rebels, Monday.
Thomas, a Whatley, Ala. native, was airlifted to the hospital and was later released that evening after he regained movement and all his tests came back normal.
Katie Bason, Director of Player Development for Ole Miss Football, tweeted a statement from Damarcus’ mother Thursday afternoon:
Damarcus Thomas’ mom asked me to share this with the Ole Miss family! @OleMissFB #HottyToddy #Family ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/CdRjUbRc4P
— Katie Bason (@bason_k) November 5, 2020
Prayers immediately came rolling in for Damarcus soon after Coach Kiffin’s announcement of the injury. “In a time in which we’re living, the beauty of it all is that the world as a whole came together in corporate prayer on behalf of my son,” Ms. Jones says in her statement.
“Trust me when I say those prayers were heard and felt.“
Shandra Jones, Damarcus’ mother, about the prayers for her son
On Tuesday, Ms. Bason tweeted a picture of a smiling Damarcus, which came as a welcome sight to all those who had been praying for the young man’s recovery.
Ole Miss tight end Damarcus Thomas, with his mom Shandra Jones (l) and Katie Bason (r), Directory of Player Development for Ole Miss Football. (Photo courtesy of Katie Bason)
Make no mistake, prayers were coming in for Damarcus from all around the SEC and the nation.
Father, I lift up this young man to You. You are the Great Physician, please let his injuries be non-permanent & restore him to full health. In Jesus name I pray. https://t.co/RJwn1oweZL
— Steve Kean (@dawgsmack) November 2, 2020
Prayers up for this young man #DawgNation 🙏🙏 https://t.co/9yZhDUwXuY
— UGA Supporters (@Support_UGA) November 2, 2020
Everyone stop and say a prayer https://t.co/LpOhDmeSDe
— JEFF Hodges (@jhodges0491) November 2, 2020
In his press conference Wednesday, Coach Kiffin expressed his relief about Damarcus’ health.
Kiffin on DaMarcus Thomas: "When they came back and said he was moving, it was a celebration. When they released him (from the hospital), it felt like a miracle."
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) November 4, 2020
Coach Kiffin even mentioned hearing from Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach about Damarcus’ injury.
“I know this rivalry out here (with State), you’re never supposed to say anything good about the opponent. But it was pretty cool that Mike (Leach) texted me that day, like right after we had this (press conference), you know, probably within an hour or something, just to say they were thinking about the player that had the injury and praying for him. So that was pretty neat.”
Coach Kiffin told reporters Wednesday that Damarcus is now in the football concussion protocol.
Best wishes to this young man for a continued full and complete recovery!
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
