Ebner begins road to recovery

His last run on that still, cool night of September 29 at Valley Stadium was pure Brad Ebner.

On first down, the county's leading rusher had a gritty 16-yard pickup, taking his Dos Pueblos High School football team out from the shadow of the Charger goal posts.

The non-league game between Dos Pueblos and visiting Righetti was winding down, each team trying to continue short winning streaks. With 7:06 on the clock, Dos Pueblos held a 20-7 edge.

Ebner was small by today's football standards - just 5-foot-9 - but he looked headed for a banner senior season. He was featured on the cover of the night's football program.

The tackle at the end of the run was clean, said his coach, Jeff Uyesaka. But something went horribly wrong. After the tackle, Ebner's head hit the ground hard.

As he ran toward the Dos Pueblos sidelines, “His legs started wobbling,” said his uncle, Roger Ebner. About 10 yards from the bench, he collapsed in the arms of one of the team's two doctors, Dr. Mark Brisby.

Brisby and a second team doctor, Dr. Steven Hollstien, recognizing the seriousness of the injury, summoned an ambulance parked at the end of the field a few yards away, and called Cottage Hospital and arranged for neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Jones to meet them.

Ebner was unconscious; his eyes were rolled back in his head, said his uncle.

Play stopped. Both teams returned to their sidelines as paramedics worked over Ebner. A hush fell over Valley Stadium.

Ebner was carefully placed on a stretcher and into the ambulance which pulled away, red flights flashing. Following in a car were Uyesaka and Dos Pueblos athletic director Dan Choi.

The quick action undoubtedly saved Ebner's life.

He had severed several veins, and blood rushed to his brain, said his uncle.

At the hospital, Brad was immediately taken to surgery and Jones operated to remove pressure on the brain, removing the top of his skull in a four-hour operation.

As word spread via cell phone and text messaging, Brad's friends descended on the hospital.

“It was touching to see the whole team there, parents, friends, everybody,” said Roger Ebner.

Santa Barbara and San Marcos players and coaches came to the hospital after their games.

So many people clamored around, interrupting hospital routine, that the family found rooms at a nearby motel to handle the overflow.

“It was tough for the staff,” Roger acknowledged.

On Monday, the weekly Athletic Round Table meeting, the equivalent of a hot-stove league where coaches, players and the community gathered at Harry's Plaza Cafe to discuss the past week's games, took on a somber tone.

Uyesaka, choking back tears for which he apologized, thanked everyone, saying he was “humbled by the outpouring.”

Ron Smith, Westmont College sports information director, the next speaker, told Uyesaka, “Never apologize for showing emotion for a player.”

Brad lay in critical condition for a week, regaining consciousness a week later as his team was playing Rio Mesa.

His condition was upgraded to serious, where he remains in the hospital's intensive care unit. There have been setbacks - pneumonia, a blood clot in his leg. He has no movement on his right side. But there are positive signs.

“He can move his left leg,” said Roger Ebner. “His left hand is strong as an ox.”

While he hasn't yet spoken, he recognizes his mother Cheryl and father Chuck. When he had a visitor Friday, he focused his good right eye on Cheryl, his left hand holding up two fingers for his jersey number - 22. Cheryl has been at the hospital daily, morning to night.

“He's better every day,” she said. “He's been sitting on the side of the bed (with help) and he's been out on the patio.”

Walls of his ICU room are covered with pictures and greetings from well-wishers, many from other schools. There is a picture of Brad with his brother Brett, 14, a member of the Dos Pueblos freshman team, and his sister, Brittany, 11. Beneath a picture of his dog Ruby are the words, “Come home soon. I miss you.”

Uyesaka visits several times a week. The first two weeks, he came daily.

Footballs abound, including one from the Pittsburgh Steelers-San Diego Chargers game, brought by Gary Cavaletto, an official for that game who lives in Santa Barbara and whose son attends Dos Pueblos. There's a ball signed by Brad's teammates, and a basketball autographed by the Clippers.

The family hopes Brad can be moved to the Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Institute possibly as soon as this week.

“We feel he'll make a very good recovery,” said Roger Ebner. “He'll take a lot of baby steps.”

But he added, “We're lucky.” Along with the swift medical response, “The whole community is coming together, everywhere you go,” he said.

At the last Round Table meeting, the Round Table organization presented a $1,000 to Uyesaka. Bishop Diego High School contributed $600, collected from students, faculty and friends. Santa Barbara coach Will Gonzales announced a donation would be taken at last Friday night's “Big Game” against San Marcos. A B-Rad fund has been set up at Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.

“It's amazing, absolutely amazing,” said Cheryl Ebner. “The depth of support from the team, the coaches. We'll make it through with the support of everyone.”

Oct. 22, 2006