WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Former athlete hurt in crash walks at graduation
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HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - For hundreds of students at Alabama A&M University, it was graduation day Thursday.
For one student, it was more than that. It's a day Jonathan Jones says he didn't think he'd see.
"It was a long road for me," said Jones.
Back in December 2007, this A&M football standout was on his way to see a former teammate play at Mississippi State. But Jones never made it.
"We swerved left and I was in the passenger seat. The oncoming car hit me. We got hit so hard, I got hit again," he recalled.
Jones was rushed to the hospital. Now, two years and 33 surgeries later, he may not be playing football anymore, but he's alive-- wearing his cap and gown. Ready to graduate, with his family by his side.
"The doctor said that 95% percent of people wouldn't have survived that accident. He had over 30 surgeries. He's just a blessing from God," said Stanley Arnold, Jonathan's brother.
"This is a wonderful day. We thought this would never happen after his accident," added his mother, Marion Jones.
Jonathan lost his left leg. He has a prosthetic now in its place, but says it wouldn't stop him from walking across this stage.
"I'm here, I'm living and I have no complaints," he said. "Getting them to see me walk across the stage is good enough."
"He went back to school two semesters after his accident-- so we're very very proud of him. It's gonna be wonderful. It's a miracle," said Arnold.
"It's been a long road and I think I deserve this," Jones said.
He has one more surgery to go and says one day, he'll run again. For now, he's just happy to graduate.
Jones got his hard-earned Bachelor's degree in sports management. He says after that last surgery, he'll have three more months of rehab, then start his job hunt.
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