Cal Poly football recruit paralyzed in pool accident before graduation

Former San Ramon Valley High School (Calif.) football standout and Cal Poly recruit Jake Javier broke his neck in a pool accident on the eve of his graduation, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down, his aunt Diane Blardony told local outlets.

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Javier fell from a hot tub into his friend’s pool and hit his head, and had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital, according to the Associated Press.

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“He, for sure, is not going to walk again, but we do hope that—once he is awake and over time—he will regain use of his hands,” Blardony said.

Javier will remain sedated for the next 48 hours, and stay in intensive care for two weeks. The permanent effects of the incident have yet to be determined.

The 6'3", 260-pound offensive lineman was named the athlete of the year at San Ramon Valley. A friend accepted his diploma at graduation on Friday.

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