‘Thankful for everyone’s prayers’: Robinson linebacker who suffered severe concussion opens up about frightening ordeal

ROBINSON, Texas (KWTX) - A Robinson football player on the road to recovery is speaking out for the first time since suffering a severe concussion that sent him to the hospital by ambulance and canceled the game.

Trevor Gerik, 15, a middle linebacker for Robinson’s junior varsity team, suffered the injury right after halftime as the Rockets took on the Gatesville Hornets in Gatesville October 30.  

Trevor stood up briefly following the hit before collapsing to the ground.

His mom, Leigh Ann Kirkpatrick,  said he was unresponsive before he began to wiggle his toes but still couldn’t speak.  

“I don’t really remember anything from that day,” Trevor said.  “My friends told me I took a hard hit in the back of the field, and I fell out on the field.”

Leigh Ann left the stands and went on the field to check on her son.

She said her motherly instincts kicked into high gear.

“My initial reaction was everybody around me was kind of freaking out and I needed to stay calm,  so I just sat by Trevor and told him that I was there and put my hand on his chest and made sure that he was breathing,” Leigh Ann said.

Trevor was taken by ambulance to McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple. 

As the family left the field, Leigh Ann witnessed something she’ll ever forget; both teams and fans on both sides praying over her son.

“One of the Gatesville coaches and some of the Robinson coaches immediately started praying and I look around, and everyone is up and praying and the stands are standing up,” Leigh Ann said.

Trevor’s CT scans came back clear.

Doctors told the family he was lucky.

Trevor was released from the hospital but ordered to stay in a dark room and away from noise for at least a week.

Trevor returned for his first full day of school on Monday and said his headaches and dizziness have improved and so has his light sensitivity.

“I’m feeling much better,” Trevor said.   “I’m thankful for everyone reaching out, saying prayers, I’m doing much better.”

Trevor said he wants to thank the Gatesville community who sent him a care package and the Robinson community for all their support.

Trevor has not been cleared to return to sports.

Prior to his concussion, he was the leading tackler for the junior varsity team.  

Robinson coaches asked Trevor to move up to varsity for their playoff game later this week as an honorary coach.

Robinson will face off against Madisonville in Corsicana Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Trevor said he looks forward to baseball season and eventually returning to the football field.  

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