BELMONT, Miss - The Belmont and Kossuth football communities were shaken after a Friday night game was cut short due to serious injuries suffered by two Belmont players, Sophomore Kylei Estes and Senior Andrew Merino. With seconds left in the third quarter, Estes sustained a potentially severe injury, while Merino was later diagnosed with a concussion. Both players were airlifted to medical facilities for further evaluation, leaving everyone in attendance in shock.

Emergency personnel responded swiftly, and the game was halted as both teams and spectators joined in prayer. The live broadcast by Jack Ivy Broadcasting was also paused as the community rallied in support of the injured players. Estes was airlifted to Memphis for further treatment, while Merino was transported to Tupelo.

The following updates from the families of both players have been shared on social media, showing positive progress.

Kylei Estes' Recovery Progress

October 19, 2024

- Initial updates indicated Estes had a CT scan, which returned positive results. Although he showed slow and weak movement on his left side and very little on his right, there were signs of improvement. Doctors moved him into the ICU for further observation.

- Later updates suggested that his injury could still involve the spinal cord, which, while not always visible on scans, often heals on its own. Estes continued to have more movement on his right side, although feelings in that area were limited. His sense of humor shone through, as he was reportedly "flirting with the nurses" when awake. Despite his condition, Estes remained determined to return to the football field as soon as possible.

October 20, 2024

- By the morning, Estes’ scans showed no new changes. He was able to move his arms and legs, pull himself up, and sit up well. His neck collar was removed, much to his relief. Plans to get him walking were also underway, with hopes of transferring him out of the ICU by the end of the day.

Andrew Merino’s Recovery Progress

October 19, 2024

- Merino was diagnosed with a severe concussion and was experiencing short-term memory loss, asking the same questions repeatedly. Despite the seriousness of his condition, a CT scan revealed no brain bleed or swelling, for which the family was grateful. Doctors anticipated improvement within 48 hours.

October 20, 2024

- Merino showed significant progress. By 6 p.m., he asked about Estes without prompting, a breakthrough moment for his family. He woke up the following morning at 10:30 and had finally stopped asking repetitive questions, marking an important milestone in his recovery. While he remains frustrated by the memory loss and pain, he continues to improve, although he has no recollection of the football game that led to his injuries.

Both families have expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support they’ve received from the Belmont community.

They continue to ask for prayers as both players work toward full recovery.

The incident has united both the Belmont and Kossuth communities in an outpouring of prayer and support for the boys and their families. After spending time in medical care, both Kylei Estes and Andrew Merino were escorted back home to Belmont with a police escort, a heartwarming display of the community’s care.

As of now, both players are on the road to recovery, and their families remain hopeful. The Belmont community continues to send well-wishes as Estes and Merino heal and focus on regaining their health.