Mom Thanks Dallas Cowboy Terence Newman

In October 2009, 15-year-old Jared Williams was paralyzed in a freak football accident at Pinkston High School in West Dallas. While in the hospital, Jared received a phone call from Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman, whose Rising Stars Foundation provides mentoring and college scholarships to student-athletes.

“He told me to keep my head up,” said Jared from a wheelchair in the bedroom, “He told me he’d be praying for me.”

But it seems Newman did much more than pray. A $10,000 check from the Rising Stars Foundation showed up in the Williamses’ mailbox soon after the Pro Bowl cornerback spoke to Jared. Then, in November, Newman’s nonprofit raised another $10,000 for the family’s medical bills through a charity event at the Gaylord Texan Hotel & Resort in Grapevine.

The event raised more than $115,000, according to a news release. “There were a lot of rich people there,” Jared said. “All the stuff they were auctioning had a couple zeros at the end.”

Jared’s mom, Arlenna Williams is simply grateful. “I’d have been grateful if they would have given us $2, because it’s more than I had when I walked in the door…I’m just thankful,” she said. “That’s really the only thing I can say after all we’ve been through. I’m just thankful for all the help.”