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Family: Connor Erickson, injured in football game, shows improvement

Brainerd H.S. football player hospitalized with brain injury
Brainerd H.S. football player hospitalized with brain injury 02:05

FARGO, North Dakota –- After two weeks of fighting, Conner Erickson is showing improvement.

The Brainerd high school football player suffered a serious head injury Sept. 9 during a game against Moorhead. Erickson was taken by ambulance to Sanford hospital in Fargo, where he underwent surgery on his head immediately. According to an update given by the family's GoFundMe organizer, Erickson was moved to an ICU shortly afterward.

Despite the surgery going well, Erickson has had to fight through high fevers, little to no muscle response, and high blood pressure. According to an update by the family, Erickson has struggled to use the muscles on the right side of his body.

RELATED: Brainerd high school senior suffers serious head injury during football game

Today, however, came a beam of hope - Erickson wrote his name and smiled for the first time since his injury. He also took part in a physical therapy session, and can now sit on the edge of his bed with assistance.

Erickson's family says, "No words can express how much we appreciate Conner's medical team, therapy teams, our family, friends, businesses, teammates, students, school faculty, and community."

Erickson will be transferred to Mayo inpatient rehabilitation early next week.

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