In 30 years of coaching, Coach Leslie has never had an injury such as Boone’s.  Boone was blocking for a running play, tripped and lost his balance and was short stepping to try to regain it.  He then hit head on into the thigh of a team mate which resulted in a shattered C4 vertebrae, which pushed in against the spinal cord.  The “good news” was that he landed on his back so he didn’t have to be turned over and he was breathing on his own.
 
Boone had surgery to remove the shattered pieces of vertebrae and a titanium plate was inserted in its place.  Structurally, coach said his backbone is back where it should be.  There is major swelling and bruising of the spinal cord as a result from the trauma.  The doctors will not know what Boone’s prognosis will be UNTIL the swelling goes down.  Just because he has some movement now does not really mean anything, it can be muscle memory or other.  There is no real time frame for the swelling to go down, it could be soon, it could be later.  “Right now the ball is in God’s court and in Boone’s court” said Coach Leslie.

When you do get to see Boone please try not to touch him, with the recovery he is facing any touch right now is extremely heightened and may be uncomfortable. Boone is a great person, and deserves every bit of your help and cooperation. Money is now being raised in his honor so the family will be able to cover medical and rehabilitation bills. The Best thing that can be done is to pray for Boone and his family.  He knows how many care for him and appreciates all the love and support coming his way.

If anyone wants to make a donation to the 
Bartlome's an account has been set up,
the address is P O Box 191132, Boise, Id 83719