LIBERTY, Mo. (WDAF) – A Missouri family is facing the unimaginable after a tragic accident on the football field left their 14-year-old son partially paralyzed.

Julius Byers, a freshman at Liberty High School, was seriously injured during his first-ever high school football game — and he’s now sharing his story.

"Keep praying because it's working,” Julius said.

Those were some of the first words Julius told Nexstar's WDAF from his hospital room at Children’s Mercy — a powerful message from a young man who, less than two weeks ago, suffered a life-altering injury while playing the game he loves.

Julius, an outdoorsy teen who loves to fish, had always dreamed of playing football.

His moment came during an away game against Lee’s Summit High School, he came in during the second quarter.

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