THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Family friends, and now NFL super star JJ Watt are coming together to support The Woodlands High School senior football player Grant Milton, who was seriously injured during a game.
The Texans' defensive end made a $10,000 donation Wednesday on Milton's GoFundMe page with the message, "If there's anything that I can do to help, please let me know. Sending my best wishes to Grant and the entire Milton family."
We are so thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support.....thank you JJ Watt for your support!!!
Posted by Grant Milton #21 on Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Watt, who is out for the season after his third surgery this year, knows first-hand how it is to be placed on the injured list and unable to play the game he loves.
The page, set up to help Milton's family with medical and living expenses, has raised nearly $70,000 of its $84,000 goal so far.
Chick-fil-A at Alden Bridge in The Woodlands held a fundraiser Wednesday to support Milton's family.
"He doesn't know, but he means so much to me," friends Grant Farley said. "It hurts me deeply. From what I understand, is that it's going to be a long road."
This Wednesday from 2-6. Please go to Chick Fil A at Alden Bridge and buy shirts for $15 for Grants Fund! Also 20% of all chick sales go to the fund.
Posted by Woodlands Area Student Center on Monday, November 28, 2016
Milton was injured Saturday during a playoff game in Waco and required emergency surgery.
A tragedy in The Woodlands – A letter from one brother to anotherhttps://t.co/PUlNOan3Ux pic.twitter.com/yG4B5HcAhF
— Texas HS Football (@texashsfootball) November 30, 2016
In a website post updating Milton's condition, a family friend wrote that the teen was in critical condition and in a coma.
"One of our friends told us when they went to the room, when they were in there, his heart rate went up and when they left, it went down so he may have known they were in there," said Milton's friend, Evan Kamlet.
According to Conroe Independent School District, Milton remains in a hospital in Waco in the intensive care unit.
"Grant is an important part of The Woodlands' football family. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as he recovers," head coach Mark Schmid said in a statement.
The Woodlands High School is back in Waco this Saturday for a fourth-round playoff game against Round Rock.
"They'll play even harder now than they already have been. I know they've been putting in a lot of work and so has Grant, so it'll mean a lot to him," said Brody Koener.
Updates about Milton's progress are available on caringbridge.org.