Devon Gales, Former Southern University WR, to Be Given New Home by Georgia Fans

The Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation announced a fundraising effort Thursday to provide former Southern University wide receiver Devon Gales, who was paralyzed last September in a game against Georgia, a handicapped-accessible home.

"House modifications aren’t something insurance pays for. As you can imagine, it’s not cheap," said Wesley Jones, co-founder of the Triumph Over Tragedy Foundation, per Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We’ve been able to help several families and do modifications for homes. Unfortunately, the Gales’ home is one that can’t really be modified.

"So what we’re here today for is, our foundation is going to launch a campaign starting today, we’re going to raise money and we’re going to build these guys a new home. That’s what they deserve, that’s what we’re going to do."

Gales suffered a severe spinal cord injury Sept. 26 and was only released from the hospital earlier this week. He has regained some feeling in his legs and has been able to move his hands and some fingers, per the Journal-Constitution.

"Sept. 26 will be a day I’ll never forget," Gales said, per Towers. "It’s just been a blessing to find out what wonderful people are here. My journey began way before this. I’ve been fighting my whole life. … But this is just a temporary setback. It’s another blessing. I know I’m going to walk out. I know I’m going to have a testimony that I will have to speak on."

The Gales family had been in the midst of attempting to build a new home to accommodate Devon, but his father and stepmother were unable to secure a loan. However, the effort from Triumph Over Tragedy was already in place unbeknownst to the family.

Since his injury, Gales has become a beloved member of the Georgia community. The Bulldogs honored him in a November game against Georgia Southern, and he's received hospital visits from players and members of the Georgia coaching staff. The fundraising effort of Triumph Over Tragedy, largely spearheaded by Georgia fans, is the latest touching moment as all sides try to make the best of a bad situation.

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