North Bay Haven community supports local referee in recovery

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On November 1, Rick DeBolt was refereeing North Bay Haven's senior night football game against Sneads High School.

During a fluke play, DeBolt was hit by a player while refereeing on the sideline, sustaining a spinal cord injury. He had surgery the day after the accident and has been receiving care at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital.

"It's been tough for us this week as well. But our community at North Bay Haven and Haven Inc. is strong and kids are always reaching out," North Bay Haven Charter Academy Athletic Director Steve Gillispie said.

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DeBolt is currently unable to walk but will be moved to Shepherd Center in Atlanta on Tuesday. Shepard is a national leader in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The waitlist to be accepted into the hospital is usually months long. DeBolt was accepted in just over a week.

Monday morning, North Bay Haven officials presented DeBolt and his family with a football signed by cheerleaders and football players.

"The way they said it, they said, we know that this is a game that changed your life. But we want you to always remember and have a positive thing. The first thing my husband said was who won the game? But yeah, they have they have just been amazing. They feel like the family now," Rick DeBolt's wife Cindy said.

North Bay Haven officials are offering support in this time of need.

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"It's just kind of who we are at North Bay Haven, and it's how we're always going to be because it's it's built into our culture. And so we're happy to help in any way we can. And it's been just a pleasure to meet the bolts and have some interaction with them and just see if there's any way that we can continue to help and be a support," Gillispie said.

The DeBolt family says football is in their blood, and they're thankful for the people the sport has given them who are showing support during this time.

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