HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. — It's been two years since a Cherokee High School football player was paralyzed during a scrimmage.
On Saturday, J.T. Brooks graduated.
Our sister station, WCYB-TV, was there for the special moment and we talk to him about what's next.
"It went by super fast and some ways and slow in other ways but I'm really excited," Brooks said.
In May 2016, his life changed in a heartbeat.
"I remember taking a nap before the scrimmage, and then went out there, had three downs and that was it," he told us in 2016.
From working hard in therapy, to making sure he was back for Cherokee's home opener, and now graduation, J.T. remains hopeful and positive.
"I've learned that I can't control this so I've learned to try to take it as a blessing because some of the people I met in some the people things I've went through made me stronger as a person," he said.
J.T. will attend Emory and Henry in the fall and will assist the football team.
His father, a graduate of Emory and Henry said he's glad his son chose this school, but says the decision was all J.T.
"He visited lots of different schools of all places up there a lot of awesome opportunities at several places," Jimmy Brooks said.
But before college, J.T. said he's going to enjoy summer and looks forward to driving.
"He told me the past two summers he hasn't been able to drive this will be the first summer he's been able to drive since he's had his license for me the best summer it and he says it's going to be the best summer ever," Jimmy Brooks said.