LITTLE ROCK — Former Camden Fairview defensive lineman Khiry Neal will attend the Cardinals’ Class 5A state championship game against Batesville on Friday night at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Fairview Coach Buck James said Neal, who is paralyzed, will be in a suite in the press box, along with 13 members of his family and/or medical team.
Neal was a promising 6-4, 275-pound sophomore defensive tackle when he contracted a freak staph infection shortly after the start of fall practice in August 2010. He was left a quadriplegic.
Neal played as a freshman in the 2009 Class 5A final and would have been a senior on the team this fall.
James said Neal, who was at War Memorial for Fairview’s 36-35 loss to Greenwood in the 2010 state championship game, has attended almost every home game this fall.
“Khiry, he’s been our why,” James said. “I think every great football has a why. Our kids areplaying because he can’t and they’re playing for him. Our kids were hurt when we got beat two years ago here. And I think they hurt more for Khiry, because it was the emotion of him being here and being on the sideline.
“Not fufilling the dream or the wish they had for him, I think, hurt more than losing the game.”
Fairview’s seniors wear a sticker with Neal’s jersey number (96) on their helmets.
James’ son, senior defensive lineman Mckinze James, said people should never forget Neal’s story.
“We play every game for him,” James said. “It’s a never-ending cycle. He’s our motivation for our entire team.”
An anonymous donor has pledged $1,000 for every shutout the Cardinals (13-0) recordthis fall.
Fairview has recorded four shutouts, with the $4,000 earmarked for Neal, who can use the money any way he chooses, Buck James said.
Sports, Pages 25 on 11/29/2012