Close Call, Quick Comeback

Strathmore High School ended its 2023 football season with a winning streak that stretched into the playoffs and didn’t stop until they had won their second state championship in seven years. It was an amazing run for coach Jeromy Blackwell and his team, but even more amazing considering Jeromy’s scary accident and recovery over that previous summer.

On June 30, 2023, Jeromy was barbecuing some lunch and working in his backyard when he got his feet tangled up with the family’s 14-year-old Yorkie poodle.

“That’s the last thing I remember,” says Jeromy. “I reached out for the patio cover support to catch myself, but couldn’t
hold on.”

Jeromy fell off-balance, face first into the concrete, knocking himself unconscious. For almost two hours, he lay unconscious in the 100-plus degree summer heat.

Fortunately, his wife Caroline went outside to check on him and discovered him face down in a puddle of mud, making gurgling sounds. She quickly called 911 and emergency responders transported Jeromy to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with severe dehydration, a concussion, heatstroke, and pneumonia from inhaling mud. Due to his critical condition, doctors decided to aid his recovery by inducing a coma. A medically-induced coma is a controlled, reversible slowdown of brain function that can protect the brain after a severe injury.

Eight days later, doctors brought Jeromy out of the coma, while surrounded by family and friends. Jeromy was confused at what had happened.

“My first memory was seeing my daughter, wife, and high school football coach,” he says. “I had no idea what had happened. Even today, it’s hard to believe.”

Jeromy still had some more healing to do before going home, and he is forever grateful to all of the people who helped care for him.

“My nurses were amazing — protective, and always looking out for me,” he says. “When I woke up, I was afraid to fall asleep because I was scared I wouldn’t wake up again, but my nurses were so good to me, and helped me get through it. My doctors and nurses literally saved my life.”

Jeromy went home later that month, and at the start of the school year, he was back on his feet, ready for one of the best coaching seasons of his life. He looks back at his experience and recovery with a humble gratitude.

“Those moments have changed my life. They gave me more focus and taught me to live more purposefully,” he says. “Just like everyone who helped save my life, we are here to spread the good and help each other.”