Lucky to be on the sideline

~T.J. Walls nearly died from injuries sustained in a spring practice

T.J. Walls insists he plans to play football again.

That remains to be seen.

But football aside, Walls has made a remarkable recovery from the scary injury he suffered during a Southeast Missouri State spring scrimmage.

Walls was hit by a defender who was trying to break up a pass, and the freshman wide receiver tumbled onto his head and neck April 7 at Houck Stadium.

Walls left the field with assistance and was later taken to Saint Francis Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to relieve the pressure from swelling around his brain.

At that point, nobody who knew Walls was concerned about his football future. They were more worried about his life.

"It was a very scary situation," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said. "We were just hopeful that he would be all right."

Walls spent about two weeks at Saint Francis Medical Center and about two weeks at Cooper University Hospital in his home state of New Jersey.

He emerged from his hospital stay feeling as good as ever, he said recently during a Southeast football practice that he attended in street clothes.

"I felt normal, I felt real good right after I got out of the hospital," Walls said.

Walls, a native of Camden, N.J., said he has experienced no ill effects since leaving the hospital.

That has given him hope of suiting up for the Redhawks again next season, although he knows that has not been decided.

"I've mentioned it to coach, but not during the season. I know he has a lot on his mind," Walls said. "He said when we get to that point, we'll cross that bridge then."

Walls realizes the decision will not be totally up to him. He would have to gain clearance from his doctors, and also clearance from Southeast administrators and Samuel.

"I really haven't talked about it [with doctors] yet," Walls said.

As for his parents, he said, "They're worried. But they said I'm a grown man. It's my decision."

Walls is determined to get back on the field, and he figures the way he feels makes that realistic.

"I'm doing everything I did before I got hurt -- lifting four times a week, conditioning. I feel great," he said. "I want to play again. I'm ready to get back at it. I love football."

For now, Walls -- who redshirted last year during his first season at Southeast -- is content to remain a part of the program in a non-playing capacity.

Since Walls returned to school prior to the start of this semester, he said he has attended virtually every practice, every meeting and both home games so far, although he will not make any road trips.

"I'm out there every day," Walls said. "I just want to be around my teammates and coaches."

Said Samuel: "He's doing very good and it's great to see. He's back in school, he's helping us out wherever he can."

While Walls practiced but did not play for Southeast last season because he was redshirted, he still found a way to put his speed to good use.

A nationally ranked high school sprinter, Walls was on the Southeast track team for much of the year and performed well before his injury, including a seventh-place finish in the 60 meters at the Ohio Valley Conference indoor meet.

Walls said he is not certain if he'll compete in track again this year.

"It's probably about 50-50," he said. "I really want to focus on getting back to football."

Walls said he remembers nothing of the play that caused his head injury, and he doesn't even have any recollection of the ensuing weeks.

"I don't remember how it happened, what I was doing. I don't remember anything about it," he said. "I just remember waking up a few weeks later."

Walls, articulate and personable, said he will be allowed to remain on scholarship while at Southeast even if he doesn't play football again.

A criminal justice major, Walls said he is intent on graduating and perhaps would like to pursue a career with the FBI.

As for Walls' football future, Samuel said that's something to be addressed following this season.

Walls remains hopeful.

"I really want to play again," he said.