NOCONA, Texas (KAUZ) – Two weeks after a mid-game injury caused Nocona running back Jose Gomez to suffer a brain hemorrhage, his community is rallying together to help him recover.

Gomez hit his head hard on the ground in the third quarter of Nocona’s game against Alvord while being tackled. Initially, he returned to the game to continue playing, but after showing symptoms, he exited the game just one play later. Shortly afterward, he was flown to a Fort Worth hospital for treatment.

His head coach, Blake Crutsinger, said it was as tense a moment as he’s seen on a football field.

“It was as scary as I remember as a coach. I’ve had a lot of kids, you know, I’ve been to a lot of kids in the hospital, but I never saw them strapped to a stretcher and doing a careful flight, so that was pretty disappointing,” Crutsinger said.

Two weeks later, Gomez, her family, friends and community members from around Nocona gathered for a spaghetti dinner to raise money. Nocona Church of Christ organized the fundraiser with the help of Grace & Grit Boutique to help cover Gomez’s medical expenses.

Gomez is home now and recovering, but Crutsinger said Gomez still has a ways to go.

“Very uncertain at this stage. Now he’s got some other issues that came up after that, and so right now, you know, it’s just kind of day to day to see how he feels. You know, we’re just praying for him and hoping he gets better as quickly as possible,” Crutsinger said.

As the community works to help Gomez, Kash Johnson, one of Gomez’s teammates, said Gomez has always been willing to help others.

“He’s a good guy, one of the best I know. He is a hard worker. I have worked with him several times and overall he will be there for you like I said. You need money, it will come or find a way out and be there for you. He’s a very good friend, one of my dearest,” Johnson said.

“Nocona treats everyone like family. It doesn’t matter who you are, everyone’s family and they will support us no matter what,” Johnson added.

Grace and Grit Boutique will also host a Sip N Shop tomorrow, October 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with 10% of the proceeds going to the Gomez family.

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