Mayville State quarterback Matt Donovan is on the move exactly one month after suffering a traumatic brain injury due to a helmet-to-helmet collision during a game.
Donovan took a medical flight from Sanford Medical Center’s ICU in North Dakota, where he has been in a medically-induced coma since September 19, to Madonna Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday, October 19.
“We are so grateful to everyone at Sanford who cared for him, fought for him, and saved his life,” Matt’s father, Terry Donovan, shared via Facebook on Monday. “I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of my son for making it through the ICU. It was not easy. Matt is made of determination, grit, and character, and getting through these last four weeks has shown all of that.”
The Mayville State football community, including Matt’s teammates, were at the hospital on Monday to show their support as he was transported out of the facility.
Matt previously suffered a brain bleed and underwent surgery to remove a portion of his skull after sustaining the injury during the third quarter of the September 19 game against Simpson University.
Looking forward, Terry acknowledged that his son has “a lot of work to do and a long road ahead, but we are grateful for the opportunity to fight another day.”
“I cannot wait to watch him start making strides and for you all to see what I’ve seen in him for the last 23 years,” Terry said. “He has always been the kid I believed could beat the odds, and I’m carrying that belief with us into this next chapter. Thank you to everyone who has been following Matt’s story, praying for him, and standing beside our family. Your support has helped carry us through these four weeks, and we are going to need you on the road ahead.”
He added, “Stay tuned, because I believe the best is yet to come. I have a feeling we’re going to have some real page-turners as this next chapter unfolds. Keep praying for my son. He is my hero. Pray for wakefulness, responsiveness, and overall health. Pray for Tina as she helps him settle into this new place, and pray for the medical team at Madonna to help guide him on his journey to recovery.”
Matt’s football coach, Rocky Larson, called Monday “a bittersweet day.”
“A huge thank-you to the Fargo Sanford team for the incredible care you’ve given Matt over the last 30 days,” he shared via Facebook. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without every single one of you. We are forever grateful! Today, our kids got their first chance to see Matt as he headed out. It was an incredibly special and emotional moment for our kids that they’ll never forget.”
Now that Matt’s recovery will shift to Nebraska, Larson noted he will miss his “daily trips” to see Matt and spend time with the Donovan family.
“But we can’t wait for the daily updates to keep rolling in and to hear about all the progress and improvements still to come!” Larson added. “Thank you for all the support over the last weeks from everyone. It’s been unbelievable. Please keep Matt and his care team in your prayers.”
