‘God’s not done with him:’ High school senior crosses the stage at graduation after spinal cord injury

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO/Gray News) - High school graduation is the culmination of years of hard work finally paying off.

Eisenhower High School’s Kobe Devot is no different. But what sets him apart from the rest is what happened in October when Devot and his cousin visited a haunted house.

It made Thursday’s ceremony seem almost impossible.

“As I was pulling in to make a right turn, I was slowing down,” Devot explained. “Then out of nowhere, we just got smacked from behind. The truck had rolled and after that, I don’t . They said I broke my spine. I’ve got a C5 and C6 spinal cord injury.”

Kobe was flown to OU Medical in Oklahoma City for treatment where he began the long road to recovery.

To help keep family and friends updated, a Facebook group called “Kobe Devot Updates” was created but it quickly had more than just relatives .

Community from far and wide gave their to the Devot family, from close friends to even rival football teams, everyone offered prayers, financial , and meal trains in the family’s time of need.

Devot says seeing the outpouring of was a big boost in his recovery.

“It really means a lot to me,” Devot stated. “Because I didn’t know how many people had my back and ed me. But now seeing it, it really means a lot.”

Eventually after multiple surgeries, Kobe’s health was steadily improving.

Another boost in his process was when he got a surprise visit from some of the ones who asked about him daily, which were his teammates.

“It was still really sad,” said Ball Boy Tanner Schoopman. “We were all just worried. This man fought through it, and I’m really glad.”

Outside of Kobe, there’s no one probably more glad than his family who gets to watch their son take the stage.

The diploma symbolizes the commitment to his schooling, but for Kobe, it symbolizes much more than that.

“This story could’ve been different,” said Kobe’s mother, Courtney Devot. “We could’ve not been watching him cross the stage but today we get to see him cross the stage and continue to fight his journey. We’re not done. God’s not done with him. He’s still got a lot to go, but having Kobe here is a blessing.”

The family is still needing as they navigate the future for Kobe. Anyone can donate to their GoFundMe by clicking here.

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