A college football player is on the road to rehabilitation after he became paralyzed from the neck down due to an injury in Nebraska earlier this month, according to his family, who launched a fundraiser to bring him back home to California for his recovery.

“Our hearts are very heavy, and we’re all trying to remain as hopeful and faithful as our son is, because he is quite a remarkable individual,” Mark Pugal, the father of injured player Jason Pugal, told TV station KABC.

According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Jason, 20, who plays for Nebraska’s Chadron State College as a junior safety, suffered a “devastating hit” during a practice scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 17.

The collision resulted in a severe fracture to Jason’s neck and C6 vertebra, his family said.

“In an instant, Jason’s life was turned upside down,” Jason’s brother, Kyle Pugal, wrote in the description of the fundraiser, which has raised more than $79,000.

In an update shared on Monday, Aug. 26, Kyle wrote that Jason had been flown to the Sharp Allison deRose Rehabilitation Center in San Diego.
“Jason is beyond ecstatic to be home and he is smiling ear to ear. He’s settling in and will be ready to start tomorrow!” Kyle wrote.

Before transferring to Chadron State College from Palomar College in San Diego, Jason was a football star at Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif.

Kyle, who played football with Jason, told KABC: “In high school, being able to walk into the battlefield with your brothers is an experience that not many get to get. I loved my experience playing with Jason.”

According to the family’s GoFundMe, Jason, who is married to high school sweetheart, underwent spinal fusion surgery “to stabilize his neck and protect his spinal cord.”

His father said, per KABC, that Jason could now feel and move a little bit of his left hand.

Jason Pugal.
The Pugal Family

In a post on X, Jay Long, the head football coach at Chadron State, wrote: “Jason, his wife, and family would appreciate any help that you can give … Thank-you for your support of Jason and his wife.”
Kyle told PEOPLE in a statement last week that before traveling, Jason had been awaiting approval from his doctor so he could be emergency airlifted to Southern California to begin his rehab.

“As you all can imagine, we are all hurting, yet our faith has us rooted and grounded in love and we trust God has a plan for us all,” his family wrote in their fundraiser. “We are hoping for the best and thank you all in advance for your time, consideration, and any donations you can afford.

“Through physical therapy and daily improvement, we know he will be cleared in no time,” Kyle says of his brother. “He’s showing remarkable strength and determination, and while he is not yet back home in California, we are hopeful for his progress.”

“The outpouring of support and prayers from the public has been incredibly uplifting for Jason and our entire family,” Kyle continues. “We are deeply grateful for everyone’s love and support during this challenging time.”

Chadron State College has expressed their condolences as well.

“The entire Chadron State College community, including the Athletic Department, supports Jason and his family, and our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with him and his family during this challenging time,” a spokesperson said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Jason’s scholarship will continue to be honored and we wish him the best as he begins his rehabilitation.”