SEATTLE — A high school football player who broke his neck on the field headed home from the hospital Wednesday.
David Young, 17, was playing for Adna High School last Friday when he broke his neck during a tackle.
He was quick to warn other players as he was wheeled out of Harborview Medical Center with his head secured in a brace called a "halo."
"Keep your head up when you go in for a tackle," warned Young, who will not play football again.
He is expected to make a full recovery, but will need to wear the halo brace for three months, and then another neck brace for three more.
While his mom was thankful to take him home, she was also nervous.
"He's going to be taken care of but it's scary. It's going to be a long, long road," said Linda Young.
For much of the time David Young was in the hospital, injured Evergreen High School football player Kenney Bui was next door.
Bui died of his injuries on Monday.
Young thought of Bui and his family as he left the hospital.
"I couldn't imagine being in their situation. It sucks enough having a broken neck. I couldn't imagine passing away because of it," said Young.
There is a hospital bed set up at Young's house.
He looks forward to being surrounded by his family, teammates, and friends.
At this point, it isn't known when he'll be able to go back to school.
While Young will never play football, he's not giving up on the chance to play other sports.
"Baseball season is next," said Young.
On Wednesday night, the community of Adna, near Chehalis, welcomed him home.
KIRO
