“Welcome home Jaguar”: Devon Gales returns to Southern University

On Saturday, March 5, the Jaguar Nation welcomed home a lucky individual after the men’s and women’s basketball settled their final conference score.
Devon Gales was given 400,000 dollars collected from the Devon Gales fund for his advancement in the future.
Gales, being the hot topic on the news circuit finally made his way back across to hump to his old stumping ground after a 162-day hiatus.
Junior wide receiver, Devon Gales was welcomed home with his family by a welcoming committee, which included several student athletes, cheerleaders and members of the Southern University Human Jukebox.
After landing from his flight in Atlanta, Gales wheeled himself into the A.W. Mumford Fieldhouse, where he was welcomed by Head Football Coach, Dawson Odums, and his cherished teammates.
Gales managed to interact with his teammates with the regained feeling and strength in his arms, knees, and the bottom of his foot.
His teammates and coaching staff were absolutely ecstatic about Gales arrival.
“Just seeing him roll in by himself, that’s enough inspiration right there,” said tight end Dillon Beard, “You could see all the happiness on his face. He was just glad to be back inside A.W. Mumford Stadium. We’re just so happy to see him. When he came in you could just see the joy flowing out of him to know that he’s back home with us.”
This day was the first day for most of the Jaguar football team to see their team-mate besides Head Coach Dawson Odums, coaching staff, and many players during the semester break.
Seeing Gales in the mood that he was in revitalized the players.
“You can see a picture; you can see a video of him,” said Junior Running Back Lenard Tillery, “but just the memories we have before the injury, and I see him now, and it’s the same face he had before. He’s that same funny, joking guy.”
On his first trip back home, Gales wanted to gorge on some “Blue Store Chicken” which is a neighborhood store located behind the Southern University campus.
Elated as Gales was, he gorged nicely.
The Mayor of Baton Rouge, Mayor Kip Holden proclaimed Saturday as Devon Gales Day and even made Gales an Honorary Mayor of Baton Rouge.
“I never thought of having a day of my own,” said Gales, “It’s crazy.”
Gales was presented with a series of gifts — including an autographed game ball from the Georgia game by his teammates — and the university announced that the rest of his education through graduate school would be paid for. Later, Gales, a therapeutic recreation major, was asked if he had planned on going to graduate school.
“I’m going now,” he swiftly replied.
Gales will continue to attend rehab in Baton Rouge and plans to enroll in school in the fall.
Odums said he expects him to be a part of the team.
“He’s a member of this football team as long as I’m the head coach,” said Odums.
Gales wanted to let everyone know that he will take those steps again and become well.
“I want to tell everyone thank you for the blessings and the love that they gave me,” he said. “With all the prayers and because of the Lord, I know that I’ll walk again.”
With the blessings that Gales has received from Southern University, there is a bright future for this young man and with his positive attitude it could only be brighter.
Welcome home, Devon Gales, to the Jaguar Nation.