Injured teen recognized at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - It's been three months since Timothy Robinson has been inside his own home. Following a severe injury during a football game in October, the Leflore student has been receiving treatment and therapy at the Sheppard Center in Atlanta. He was finally able to come home for a visit Friday.

"It just brought joy to my heart to have him home. I couldn't stop smiling. I don't think he could stop smiling, because this is his first opportunity to be back home," the teen's mother, Evelyn McGhee, said.

McGhee said it's great having her son home, even if it's just for a short visit.

Robinson couldn't tell us how he felt, but he did give us a thumbs up sign from his wheelchair.

After getting in late Friday night, Tim was heading out on his first official outing Saturday afternoon in a special van.

Ben McGhee said his son really wanted to see the Senior Bowl, and the family wanted to make sure it happened.

"He really stressed he wanted to be here, so we found a way to make it happen. From donations that people made to the Timothy Robinson Foundation, we were able to rent a van and come down," Ben said.

Getting to the game, or anywhere, is a major ordeal. Special food, medication, and care must be taken for Robinson, who still can't speak, nor does have full use of his arms and legs. But the family said he's making progress.

"He's been diagnosed with something that he will overcome in time. But we have to work on it and it's going to be just a slow learning process for him to redo it all over again," Evelyn said.

The trip was definitely worth it. The teenager got to watch part of the game on a large screen television inside Ladd Stadium.

After the first quarter,he was taken out on the field for a special introduction before the sell-out crowd.

"It was exciting, and I can tell that Tim was excited,." his father said.

It's an experience that just might get another thumbs up from Tim.

The family says Tim will have to return to Atlanta on Monday to continue his therapy. He's scheduled for release around the end of February.