OKLAHOMA CITY -
Oklahoma State's first-ever Spirit Rider is recovering Saturday night after a horse riding accident left him in a coma.
The OSU alum has since woken up, and is looking forward to the game against Texas, but it's been a rough ride; one his family wasn't sure he'd wake up from.
Roping and riding is what John Beall Jr. has always loved. He was Oklahoma State's first-ever Spirit Rider back in 1984.
"He's been a fun, fun kid his whole life," John Beall Sr. said.
Six weeks ago, his dad got a phone call saying his son was in a coma after a roping accident.
"I can't describe that. That's devastating," he said. "That horse fell on the legs of his head and came and hit John on the shoulders and just slammed him in the ground."
John Jr.'s wife Jenny was in Minnesota visiting family and raced home to be by her husband's side.
"The first couple weeks were pretty tough. He was in a coma for 12 days," Jenny said. "There's never any answers with a brain injury. He might wake up in a week, two months or he might never wake up."
John Jr. is up and recovering at Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Center.
"We're doing pretty good. We're amazed he's alive," Jenny said.
"He's getting better so fast, I am confident he's going to get completely well," John Beall Sr. said.
Friends in Purcell wanted to help too, so they put together a silent auction and roping event and more than 400 riders came to help out. They've also set up a bank account to help the family out at the IBC in Purcell, care of John and Jenny Beall.
"This is unbelievable...and the people put it on and it's something to see and fun to be here," said John Sr.
"It's amazing to see how many people love john and support John and it's amazing," Jenny said.
Jenny says John Jr. has his boots and jeans on and looking forward to the game Saturday night against Texas. She thanks everyone for their prayers and says keep the faith.
Roping and riding is what John Beall Jr. has always loved. He was Oklahoma State's first-ever Spirit Rider back in 1984.
