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College Football Assistance Fund provides money for injured Southern player

The College Football Assistance Fund announced Tuesday that it was giving the family of Southern receiver Devon Gales $5,000 to help with travel and loss-of-income expenses while Gales recovers from a neck injury he suffered against Georgia on Sept. 26.

Gales was playing on the kickoff team when his head appeared to make contact with the shoulder of Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan. He was transported to Athens Regional Medical Center.

Southern University announced that Gales suffered several fractures in his neck, but had movement in his upper body. He underwent successful surgery the Sunday following the game and is in the midst of a long recovery.

Southern University also started a fund to raise money to help pay for Gales' medical bills.

“In football, we’re a tight-knit community, and you really feel for the player and his family in this situation,” CFAF board member Doug Williams said in a statement. “This is the whole reason for the College Football Assistance Fund — to be ready to help families in need.”

The University of Georgia flew Gales’ family from Louisiana — Gales is from Baton Rouge — to Athens at the school’s expense and coach Mark Richt had been instrumental in spreading the word regarding ways to help pay for Gales’ bills and recovery.

Gales has since been transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

“You’re never prepared, emotionally or financially, for your son to suffer such a serious injury,” Gales’ parents, Donny and Tanisha, said in a statement. “The support of the College Football Assistance Fund allows us to focus on Devon and his recovery, and not on how we’re going to afford being with him at such a critical time in his life.”

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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