1 year ago
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He spoke softly but carried a big scripture. It’s been just over three weeks since the accident, and he wanted to tell me that he is blessed. “The accident was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said KD Hill. “God had other plans for me besides football.”Why does a 23-year-old football star feel blessed after losing a leg from below the knee- losing the football career he’s always dreamed about? Trapped in a car after the accident while surgeons performed the amputation? “I didn’t cry one time,” KD Hill told me. “I knew He was with me."What a difference a year makes. Last fall, Union Springs, Alabama, native Ka’Darian Hill was getting ready for some NFL football. A big, tough defensive lineman, KD Hill was a leader on the Ole Miss football team. KD’s teammates looked up to him, one glance at his jersey reminding them of his courage.KD wore jersey #38 after being named the recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. He showed leadership and perseverance, just like the late Chucky Mullins. Years ago, Chucky knew what it took to be tough after being paralyzed in a football game. Little did KD Hill know that, like the late Chucky Mullins, his will would be tested, too.KD Hill did his best growing up in Union Springs, Alabama. “My childhood in Union Springs was difficult," KD Hill told me. Now back home after being released from UAB Hospital, KD had time to reminisce. “I was raised in a single-parent home — my mother worked until 1 am, slept for a few hours and went to work again,” KD said. “We had house break-ins, a foreclosure — my grandpa died from pancreatic cancer when I was ten years old.”All throughout his difficult childhood, KD would learn lessons from his family. His mom Arneta would drive him the 45 minutes to Eufaula for school. “Through it all, my mother told me to glorify God — she always reminded me that He was the head of the household.”It was just over three weeks ago, and KD Hill was headed down Interstate 65 South near Cullman. KD and his brother Seneca chatted about football and life — KD had been invited to New York Jets camp. Life was good. KD felt sleepy. Life was about to change.KD Hill has always had faith, and he’s never been afraid to share his it.“When I was 9 years old, my grandpa took me fishing," KD said. "We weren’t having much luck, and I told him, 'You need to have faith the size of a mustard seed, grandpa.' We started to catch fish by the dozens — I’ll never forget the smile on grandpa’s face.”“I must have dozed off for a second. I found myself driving on the grass on the left side of the road,” KD told me about the accident on July 21. “I swerved the other way and hit a tree. I blacked out for a moment but then came to and heard my brother screaming. I called out to Jesus. The state trooper arrived, and I held him as we prayed.”KD Hill was more than a big, bruising defensive lineman at Ole Miss. He made regular visits to the Housing Authority in Oxford. He helped raise money for the Mississippi Food Pantry. He helped make Thanksgiving baskets for people in need. KD Hill had more in common with those folks than they knew.“I grabbed onto the steering wheel and tried to pull myself up and out of the car,” said KD. “I looked down and saw my mangled leg. The surgeons arrived with their saws and their pain meds. I reminded them that I had a 5-month-old son who needed a father.” KD Hill opened his eyes. He was in a medical helicopter headed for UAB Hospital in Birmingham. They may have taken his leg, but they were not going to take his life. KD Hill had a life to live and a message to spread.“I’ve always enjoyed helping people by giving them Godly advice,” KD said. “While I was at UAB, I met a 19-year-old named Calvin — he had been shot 9 times. We shared prayers and became friends — we have been FaceTiming the last few weeks.”It was days ago when KD was discharged from the hospital, and he’s embracing his life that has gone in a different direction. His son Kaden and his brother Seneca are doing well. He starts rehab this week, and he’s excited to soon be outfitted with a prosthetic. He says he wants to train for the Paralympic Games and show the world his talents.And KD Hill’s future profession? His football career over, KD now plans to inspire people of all shapes and sizes.“I’ll be giving plenty of motivational speeches and will minister and encourage people everywhere. God knew all along what He wanted from me. Now, I know, too," he said.What a difference a year makes. KD Hill has moved from the football field to his field of dreams, inspiring and spreading the Good News. “Yes, the accident was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said KD as he took a deep breath. “God had a plan for me, and now, I’ve bought in.”KD harkened back to his mama’s advice as he told me goodbye.“Remember,” he said as he left me with a reminder: “God is the head of the household.”
He spoke softly but carried a big scripture. It’s been just over three weeks since the accident, and he wanted to tell me that he is blessed. “The accident was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said KD Hill. “God had other plans for me besides football.”
Why does a 23-year-old football star feel blessed after losing a leg from below the knee- losing the football career he’s always dreamed about? Trapped in a car after the accident while surgeons performed the amputation? “I didn’t cry one time,” KD Hill told me. “I knew He was with me."
What a difference a year makes. Last fall, Union Springs, Alabama, native Ka’Darian Hill was getting ready for some NFL football. A big, tough defensive lineman, KD Hill was a leader on the Ole Miss football team. KD’s teammates looked up to him, one glance at his jersey reminding them of his courage.
KD wore jersey #38 after being named the recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award. He showed leadership and perseverance, just like the late Chucky Mullins. Years ago, Chucky knew what it took to be tough after being paralyzed in a football game. Little did KD Hill know that, like the late Chucky Mullins, his will would be tested, too.
KD Hill did his best growing up in Union Springs, Alabama. “My childhood in Union Springs was difficult," KD Hill told me. Now back home after being released from UAB Hospital, KD had time to reminisce. “I was raised in a single-parent home — my mother worked until 1 am, slept for a few hours and went to work again,” KD said. “We had house break-ins, a foreclosure — my grandpa died from pancreatic cancer when I was ten years old.”
All throughout his difficult childhood, KD would learn lessons from his family. His mom Arneta would drive him the 45 minutes to Eufaula for school. “Through it all, my mother told me to glorify God — she always reminded me that He was the head of the household.”
It was just over three weeks ago, and KD Hill was headed down Interstate 65 South near Cullman. KD and his brother Seneca chatted about football and life — KD had been invited to New York Jets camp. Life was good. KD felt sleepy. Life was about to change.
KD Hill has always had faith, and he’s never been afraid to share his it.
“When I was 9 years old, my grandpa took me fishing," KD said. "We weren’t having much luck, and I told him, 'You need to have faith the size of a mustard seed, grandpa.' We started to catch fish by the dozens — I’ll never forget the smile on grandpa’s face.”
“I must have dozed off for a second. I found myself driving on the grass on the left side of the road,” KD told me about the accident on July 21. “I swerved the other way and hit a tree. I blacked out for a moment but then came to and heard my brother screaming. I called out to Jesus. The state trooper arrived, and I held him as we prayed.”
KD Hill was more than a big, bruising defensive lineman at Ole Miss. He made regular visits to the Housing Authority in Oxford. He helped raise money for the Mississippi Food Pantry. He helped make Thanksgiving baskets for people in need. KD Hill had more in common with those folks than they knew.
“I grabbed onto the steering wheel and tried to pull myself up and out of the car,” said KD. “I looked down and saw my mangled leg. The surgeons arrived with their saws and their pain meds. I reminded them that I had a 5-month-old son who needed a father.”
KD Hill opened his eyes. He was in a medical helicopter headed for UAB Hospital in Birmingham. They may have taken his leg, but they were not going to take his life. KD Hill had a life to live and a message to spread.
“I’ve always enjoyed helping people by giving them Godly advice,” KD said. “While I was at UAB, I met a 19-year-old named Calvin — he had been shot 9 times. We shared prayers and became friends — we have been FaceTiming the last few weeks.”
It was days ago when KD was discharged from the hospital, and he’s embracing his life that has gone in a different direction. His son Kaden and his brother Seneca are doing well. He starts rehab this week, and he’s excited to soon be outfitted with a prosthetic. He says he wants to train for the Paralympic Games and show the world his talents.
And KD Hill’s future profession? His football career over, KD now plans to inspire people of all shapes and sizes.
“I’ll be giving plenty of motivational speeches and will minister and encourage people everywhere. God knew all along what He wanted from me. Now, I know, too," he said.
What a difference a year makes. KD Hill has moved from the football field to his field of dreams, inspiring and spreading the Good News. “Yes, the accident was the best thing that ever happened to me,” said KD as he took a deep breath. “God had a plan for me, and now, I’ve bought in.”
KD harkened back to his mama’s advice as he told me goodbye.
“Remember,” he said as he left me with a reminder: “God is the head of the household.”
English (US)