Watch CBS News

Lane Tech Football Player Back In ICU After Suffering Infection While In A Coma

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After some initial improvement, a high school football player has suffered a devastating setback in his recovery from a serious injury that left him a coma.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports Drew Williams, who played running back and cornerback at Lane Tech High School, collapsed on the sidelines on Oct. 4, after he was hit on the field in a game against Dunbar High School at Gatley Stadium.

Drew suffered a subdural hematoma -- bleeding on the brain -- a short time after taking a hit. His sister, Andrea Williams, said he has never regained consciousness, and remains in a coma.

However, she isn't giving up hope. Instead, she's planning for the future.

"It's a battle. It's up to Drew and God," Andrea Williams said.

All she and her family can do is wait for her 17-year-old brother to regain consciousness, if he ever does.

"It's so difficult. Every day," Andrea said. "It's difficult to talk about it; to look at old pictures."

Andrea said she realizes her brother's fight could go one indefinitely.

Though he was moved from Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago last week to begin therapy, he ended up contracting an infection, and was taken to the intensive care unit at Lurie Children's Hospital.

Now, friends and family like Jaquan Scott have planned two fundraisers to help with the staggering, post-insurance medical costs; and Drew's long-term care, if he does wake up.

The first fundraiser has been scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17, at The Melting Pot, 609 N. Dearborn St. It begins at 1 p.m. The second has been planned for Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Blue Light Bar, 3251 N. Western Avenue. That fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.