A horrific break has brought a family and the Donovan football community together

Now a senior, Jayden Nascimento has heard all the modern-day pregame versions of coachspeak, where players are reminded not to play selfishly, and instead are prodded to focus efforts toward the greater good.

"Our coach (Dan Curcione) talks all the time about playing for your teammates, your brothers," the Donovan Catholic fullback and middle linebacker said.

On Friday night, when Donovan Catholic takes the field in Absecon against Holy Spirit in the first round of the NJSIAA Non-Public B playoffs, Jayden Nascimento will be playing for a brother – his.

On Oct. 11, Gavin Nascimento, Jayden's 16-year-old brother, suffered a grisly and freakish injury, when he broke two lower-leg bones – one of them piercing the skin. Since that afternoon in Jackson Township, Gavin has endured seven surgeries, unimaginable pain and a dangerous infection. During a 27-day hospital stay, which could last one or two weeks longer, Gavin has shown courage, resilience and toughness that has inspired his family, team and community.

It all started with a crack Jayden Nascimento was on the field when Gavin took a wildcat direct snap on a play Donovan calls "Rebel," the same play it scored on in an earlier game at Jackson Memorial 27 days ago.

Gavin threw himself into mass of bodies waiting for him inside the five yard line. Players peeled themselves off the pile, but Gavin never got up.

Gavin suffered what medical professionals call an open tib-fib fracture. He sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and a fracture of the fibula just above the ankle. A section of the tibia, which was cracked into two pieces, pierced the skin and was visible to anyone close enough to see it.

Jayden was across the field when he took his first glance at his brother.

"I didn't hear it (crack)," Jayden said. "All I could think about was why something like that would happen to such a good kid. I looked back again and that's when I saw what really happened to Gavin. I saw trainers and doctors doing everything they could to try and save his leg.

"Seeing that broke me," Jayden said. "It's something I never want to see or hear again."

Those who saw the injury labeled it "gruesome" and "horrific."

Players on both sides ran for their respective sidelines, sickened by the scene.

Jackson Memorial athletic trainer Niccole Figaro, a 33-year veteran, had never seen an open tib-fib fracture.

"And if I ever see one again it will be too soon," Figaro said.

Fortunately for the Nascimento family, there was not one, but two doctors on the field that day. One was Dr. Harry A. Bade, an orthopedist with Professional Orthopaedic Associates, Tinton Falls. The other was Dr. Anter Gonzales of Orthopaedic Institute Brielle Orthopaedics in Brick Township. Gonzales specializes in pediatrics and sports medicine.

According to Jack Nascimento, Gavin's father, the two doctors, among other things, reduced the break, restoring blood flow to Gavin's foot prior to transport.

Jack was the man who called the play, Donovan's offensive coordinator.

"I was on the field before the officials even blew their whistles," Jack said. "The defensive end just sat down on his leg. I saw it twist and knew he snapped it."

Jack got to his son and saw him grabbing at the John J. Munley Field turf as he went into shock enduring immense pain.

Jack, acting instinctively, hovered over his son.

"I was trying to prevent him from getting a good look at his leg," Jack said. "I was trying to calm him down and I told him his leg was broken. In true Gavin fashion he said 'yeah, dad, I know. I heard it snap.'"

Just before being put in the ambulance, Jack told Gavin he would take the ride with him. "Gavin said 'no you're not. You're going to stay here and win this game for us.'''

Jack honored the request. Gavin's mom, Michelle, accompanied her son in the ambulance. Jack stayed and finished off Donovan Catholic's 32-7 victory.

Gavin was rushed by ambulance to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, the regional trauma center, where he has been since Oct. 11.

During his stay, Gavin has undergone surgeries by orthopedic, vascular and plastic surgeons.

Before each procedure he told his mom he would be OK. After each one, he asked her how she was doing.

"He's always been a selfless kid," Jack said.

The night of the injury, surgeons inserted stabilizing hardware - a rod and three screws. When an infection developed later, that hardware was replaced not once, but twice. The infection developed where the bone broke the skin. Doctors told Gavin's parents there were 10 different types of bacteria present in the wound.

"They told us two of the bacteria were severe and significant," Jack said. "Gavin's life was never in danger, but there was talk of amputation in that conversation."

On Oct. 23, surgeons inserted an antibiotic-coated rod and two screws. On Oct. 29, doctors replaced the rod with a larger, permanent rod and two screws again coated with antibiotics.

Jack said the quick action by Jersey Shore doctors have finally turned the tables on the infection, but Gavin will remain on antibiotics for at least 10 weeks, maybe as many as 16 to 20 weeks.

While there were many cruel nights since the injury, the night of the seventh surgery (Oct. 29) was the most torturous for Gavin and the whole family.

"Doctors told me that after you get a nerve blocker a few times, it doesn't last as long," Jack said.

"Gavin woke up screaming in pain. Doctors and nurses tried all kinds of medication, but nothing took the edge off until Thursday (two days after the surgery). He didn't sleep at all on Wednesday.

"He screamed all night," Jack added. "As parents we're protectors. We want to protect our kids. I would have taken all his pain if I could have. All I could do was listen."

Jack and Michelle have spent every night with Gavin since he was admitted, sleeping in a recliner in his room. Michelle stays two nights a week and Jack five. Jack has retained his position as offensive coordinator.

"He looks at film in the hospital room. He draws up game plans in the room," Curcione said. "Jack was at practice the day after it happened.

"That's what family is," Curcione added. "That's who is there when you need it most. They are a great family and have really rallied around Gavin."

So too has the Donovan Catholic community. Jack said every fall sports team at the school has sent gift baskets or posters signed with well wishes.

"I told Gavin, 'When your hospital room looks like your room at home, you've been there too long,'" Jack said.

Gavin's teammates and coaches have made visits, which raise his spirits.

"Some of the kids have come to the hospital, others text him during lunch or FaceTime him before practice or games. It means a lot to him."

Things looking up Jack Nascimento said things started to look up this week, but there is a long road to a full recovery.

Gavin will undergo at least one more procedure by plastic surgeons. Hopefully, it will be his last.

If all goes well he will be transferred to a rehabilitation facility with three or four weeks of non-weight bearing physical therapy," Jack said.

From the moment he sustained the injury, Gavin has worried about resuming his lacrosse career.

"When we were getting him ready for transport, he was in shock but was concerned about the rest of his career," Figaro said.

"He thinks he can play lacrosse in college, and the summer between your sophomore and junior years is an important one," Jack said. "He's hoping he can get back on the field late in the spring so he is ready for the summer."

"My brother's a fighter, man," Jayden said. "The one thing I know he won't do is give up."

The Donovan Catholic football team will carry that same resiliency and toughness into its game versus Holy Spirit, a 7-1 team, ranked No. 13 in the state.

"If we can win this game, it would mean more than the world to him," Jayden said. "I mean, man, the dude would love that. People have been asking what he wants or needs. What he would really love is seeing his boys win a football game.

"I know I can't do much for him, but what I can do is everything in my power to win this game."

"We have a team filled with good kids and there is nothing they would like more than to bring a ball back to him," Curcione said.