CHOCOWINITY — Southside Seahawks’ three-year veteran and rising senior, Colby Curlings will be sidelined for the 2019 football season following a car accident on June 5. Curlings met at the Southside field house on Wednesday to talk about all that has transpired for him in the past month.

Curlings was a big piece to the offensive line for Southside, and Seahawk running backs Jamari Nelson and Davion Carter both say they’ll greatly miss him on the line blocking for them this season.

Curlings was released from rehab and the hospital on June 27. He reflected back on the day of the accident.

“I had just finished an exam, and my granddad took me to pick my car up from the shop. I was coming back to Southside to pick up my cousin from school,” Colby Curlings said about the day of the accident. “I got to the curb near the school on a rainy day, and all I remember was that truck crossing the line and the impact. Then it all goes blank for a few days and I woke up in the hospital.”

Curlings’ vehicle toppled into the cab of an 18-wheeler, which prevented Curlings’ vehicle from flipping.

“My brain was swelling so they had to cut out (some of my skull) to give it room,” Colby Curlings said.

On top of the head trauma, Colby’s dad, Kenny Curlings said he had arm surgery as well.

“He’s got some pins in his hand, we go (Wednesday) to the plastic surgeon to take a look and see if the pins are ready to come out,” Kenny Curlings said. “He did have some ligament damage. He had severe cuts, a four-inch gouge to the elbow and a 13-inch cut. They were so deep that they didn’t even sew them up for the first five days.”

The doctors told Kenny Curlings that Colby only had a 10% chance of living upon arrival at the hospital.

“The surgeons told us that they didn’t think he would make it,” Kenny Curlings said. “After the fifth or sixth day of the (tracheostomy tube), he opened his eyes up for the first time. They still had him at a 2% chance of regaining all of his functions, but God’s got a plan for the kid. He’s up walking, talking and remembering everything except for right after the accident.”

Kenny Curlings also elaborated on how much the community helped the family throughout this past month.

“I’m grateful. The community support, the team, Seahawk Nation and the Washington churches and businesses have been very, very good to us,” Kenny Curlings said. “They stepped up and helped us a lot, because it’s been tough.”

The Wine Crate hosted its Block Party on June 22. All proceeds from the live auction, cornhole tournament, donations and 8% of all sales were donated to the Curlings family to help with recovery.

“I am grateful. The support has been unimaginable,” Colby Curling said about the community banding together for him. “I can’t say enough to show how much I appreciate it all.”

Colby Curlings does have one football related goal this year, despite his injuries.

“I want to suit up on senior night. Even if I don’t play, I want to be on that field,” Colby Curlings said. “Of course its upsetting to lose out on my senior year, but I’m happy to be here, I have full trust in my team to carry the load, do their job and work together.”