T.J. Floyd Recovering From Brain Injury Throws Out The First Pitch For Louisville Bats

T.J. Floyd suffered a traumatic brain injury 11 years ago

An Oldham County teen who suffered a traumatic brain injury at 7 years old got a special honor at Slugger Field. T.J. Floyd suffered a severe brain injury in 2010 after falling off his bike while not wearing a helmet. The entire left side of his brain was damaged and it was a miracle he survived.

Floyd underwent emergency open-brain surgery to treat a severe brain bleed and spent 63 days in the hospital. The teenager has learned to walk and talk again in the years since the accident, and Floyd got the chance to throw out the first pitch at Saturday’s Louisville Bats game.

“He did baseball before, so it’s near and dear to our hearts because that was his sport. He just absolutely loved baseball. It is a great honor for us,” said Floyd’s mother, Heather. “It is just a really cool night to honor T.J. and to bring awareness to the community on the importance of helmet safety.”

T.J. works hard with his rehabilitation and treatments. He had the choice to hurl the first pitch from his wheelchair. Instead, the young man walked with his father to the infield grass to do it on his two legs.

“Nine years ago, we didn’t think he’d walk,” said his proud mom. “Now, he’s walking and threw out the first pitch.” The crowd’s ovation for T.J. fired up the young man and touched his family. “The warm welcome we received was amazing for T.J.,” said Heather. “He practiced all week.”

Sources: