Christion Abercrombie does a lot of smiling lately.

“When I first got here, I was a little nervous, but now it’s like being at home,” he said.

The former Westlake High School football standout and Tennessee State linebacker has plenty to be happy about. He just finished an internship with the Atlanta Falcons and is now teaching physical education at Feldwood Elementary School.

“The kids love going to the gym because of his energy and because of how enthusiastic he is about sports,” assistant principal Aliza Dennis said.

Abercrombie suffered a head injury on a routine play in Tennessee State’s game against Vanderbilt in September 2018.

Abercrombie went to the sideline during the first half, told trainers he had a headache and collapsed. He had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery.

Abercrombie suffered a traumatic brain injury with multiple strokes. His doctors told his parents that he wouldn’t survive the night and if he did, he would never walk or talk again.

But Abercrombie’s mother Staci knew her son had a lot more living to do.

“They did not think he would live 24 hours and here we are four years later,” she told Washington

Abercrombie came home to Atlanta to begin his recovery at the Shepherd Center. In 2021, he earned his degree from Tennessee State University.

“I recovered super fast and I’m very grateful for that. I can walk, run, jump, talk, lift weight everything.” he said.

Abercrombie said his internship with the Atlanta Falcons added the skills he needs to get him one step closer to coaching.

He told Washington that he loves his job at Feldwood Elementary, but his dream to be the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

“You’ve got to do everything you’ve got to do. Prayers work. I know that for a fact.”

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