When Lane Kiffin appeared in front of reporters Monday to discuss his Ole Miss football team's first practice of its bye week, Kiffin admitted he was shaken and then revealed that Rebels freshman Damarcus Thomas had suffered a potentially catastrophic injury and left campus via ambulance.
Thomas, a freshman from Alabama, later was transported via helicopter to a Memphis-area hospital.
By Monday night, Thomas had regained feeling in all his extremities and was released from the hospital.
Kiffin reflected back on the day during the SEC coaches' teleconference on Wednesday. Earlier a photo from Thomas' family had been posted online showing him at therapy in the Ole Miss facilities.
“It really was cool, the relief that you mentioned,” Kiffin said of his emotions when he learned Thomas had continued to improve. “When they came back and said he was moving, it was a partial celebration and when they released him later that day it felt like a miracle.
“He's back, he's not practicing but he was out here (today). We're very grateful of all the help, support and prayers. The support of his mom getting here and taking care of her.”
Kiffin then revealed to reporters that Thomas, who was a standout at Saraland High School (Whatley, Alabama) had endured a similar scare two years ago. Literally, two years to the date.
“I didn't ask him [if he hoped to continue playing football], but he just said, 'God works in mysterious ways,'” Kiffin said. “(Thomas) said on the exact same date, on Nov. 2 in high school two years ago, the same exact thing happened to him on the same exact day. It just added to the craziness of the story.
“I wasn't going to tell you guys (reporters) and I was struggling so I felt like telling you would actually allow me to continue through the interview. Until you see something like that, you don't have an understanding for it.”