On Sunday, North Schuylkill’s emotional 2019 football season ended on a bit of a high note. Injured star player Jaden Leiby was able to join the rest of the team in full for the first time since his tragic injury last Fall.
Leiby suffered a serious spinal injury on Oct. 25 in a Schuylkill League football game at home against Pottsville.
Jaden Leiby Rejoins North Schuylkill Football Team for Year-end Banquet
Leiby had a chance to get away from the grueling physical therapy to join his team one more time.
(Photo: North Schuylkill School District-Athletic Dept.)
At the Spartans banquet, Leiby was honored as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Prior to his injury, Leiby racked up 2,993 yards on the ground. In his senior season in 2019, he had more than 1,000 yards and scored 18 TDs.
Coach Wally Hall and Jaden Leiby, the NS career leader with 2,993 rushing yards. This past season, Jaden rushed over 1,000 yards and 18 TD’s. Congratulations, Jaden! The best part of the day was having you there to share in the celebration of the season! pic.twitter.com/Fo58FlJdoQ
— NSAthletics1 (@NSAthletics1) February 2, 2020
And it was another chance for Leiby to be with his senior classmates to celebrate their 2019 Schuylkill League football championship.
Coach Hall pictured with our 15 seniors. Our school and our football program will miss you guys! Thank you all for your commitment to our program. It has been a pleasure watching you all over the past several years! Spartan Pride! pic.twitter.com/cPT4jBMXLY
— North Schuylkill SD (@NorthSchuylkill) February 2, 2020
Coalspeaker.com reports, “Not a dry eye could be found as Jaden Leiby was the special guest at the North Schuylkill Spartans banquet at Fountain Springs Country Inn.
https://www.facebook.com/CoalSpeaker/posts/2700317813420681
Since the time that Leiby got rushed from the football field at North Schuylkill that Friday night, we haven’t heard much of him until lately.
Leiby’s inspiring recovery from the severe injury started getting media attention this week. WNEP’s Chase Senior filed this story last week on Leiby’s inspiring recovery:
If you have four minutes today, I encourage you to watch this for a source of inspiration. Jaden Leiby’s road to recovery. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/uatnfsBqGE
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) January 31, 2020
(2/2) Really inspired by Jaden’s perseverance, positivity and toughness as he recovers from his spinal cord injury. It was an honor being able to tell his story pic.twitter.com/WQetLYCTzV
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) January 31, 2020
That happened soon after video of Leiby going through physical therapy treatments with the help of a therapy dog went viral locally.
VIDEO alittle game of catch & nudging from Nigel, @MageeRehab facility dog, makes any therapy session better! Jaden Leiby, who is recovering from a spinal cord injury, is one of many patients who love working each week with Nigel & occupational therapist Peter DeLong. #TeamMagee pic.twitter.com/4jJ3nHHtDH
— Magee Rehabilitation – Jefferson Health (@MageeRehab) January 20, 2020
About two weeks ago, Leiby shared his appreciation for the therapy staff tending to his recovery. He posted this to Twitter:
Couldn’t be more thankful to work with the best therapists around! #Believe https://t.co/UG5wWoHd0Q
— Jaden Leiby (@jadenleiby_) January 20, 2020
In the time between Leiby’s injury and these recent updates, some high-profile people in the football community spoke out on Leiby’s behalf. That includes two notable Penn State University alums.
Former North Schuylkill and Penn State football great Gino Capone penned a letter asking fellow football alumni to donate to Leiby’s cause.
And former Nittany Lion Adam Taliafero also reached out in support of Leiby. That includes a recent tweet recognizing Leiby’s heroic recovery efforts since his injury.
One of the most inspiring people you will ever meet. My guy @jadenleiby_ is overcoming obstacles every day!!!
— Adam Taliaferro (@Tali43) January 22, 2020
But the support for Leiby extended well beyond those higher-profile voices. On social media and throughout many Schuylkill County communities, #PrayersFor6 fundraisers popped up. You’ll still find people, including North Schuylkill School District using this image as their social media profile photo.
(Image: Coal Region Canary)
The hashtag was shared on social media and the phrase even spawned a popular T-shirt that you can’t miss around the North Schuylkill school community.
The Canary joins the rest of the Coal Region community in wishing Jaden Leiby a continued speedy and full recovery. #PrayersFor6
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insider
February 3, 2020 at 11:58 am
Great reporting about a tremendous young man and his teammates.This transcends football.Please remind people that contributions are still needed to help in his long recovery.
Shout out to Leroy Boyer of the RepublicanHerald for his moving article.
You both should be congratulated for your sincerity in thrse articles…Well done!