Watch CBS News

13-Year-Old Football Player Suffers Spinal Fracture

MISSION VIEJO (CBS) — A 13-year-old football player faces possible paralysis after suffering a spinal injury in a Pop Warner football game.

Donnovan Hill fractured his spine Sunday during the Midget Orange Bowl championship game. The star running back for the Lakewood Lancers dropped to the ground after hitting his head while trying to block a play.

Hill's mother, Crystal Dixon, says Hill loves football, and was being recruited by two private schools to play for them. She says he is being strong for everyone.

Dixon says Hill told her, "be strong, I'm alright, this is part of football."

Family, friends, and teammates say they're praying the surgeons at Mission Hospital are able to repair the spinal fracture, and keep Hill's dream alive.

If you'd like to help the Hill family, donations may be sent to the following address:

Orange Empire Conference
c/o Donnovan Hill
PO Box 7652
Huntington Beach, CA 92615

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.