KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 31, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Tyler Credeur (third from the right) with the 2019-2020 Taylor High School football captains.
Photo credit: Rachel Jones-Locke
The Taylor High School football team invited an inspirational freshman to lead their team onto the field at their season-opening game last night. Tyler Credeur, recovering from severe burns after a camping accident, has found strength and support from his peers and schools during his ongoing recovery.
Camping Fire Resulted in Severe Burns
Last November, the weekend after Thanksgiving, McMeans Junior High student Tyler Credeur was camping with family when he was involved in a horrific camp fire accident. The incident resulted in severe burns on 85 percent of his body. His family was warned that his recovery would take years, including a significant time at Shriners Hospital and multiple surgeries.
Huge Support from McMeans and Coach Lee
"After the accident, Tyler received postcards and personal notes from the staff, teachers and students at McMeans Junior High," says his mom Rachel Jones-Locke. "The school started #Tylerstrong in support. Their support has meant everything to him. His McMeans football coach, Coach Alford Lee sent an email everyday when he was in the hospital."
An Active Student Who Loved Football
Tyler went from being an active student who loved playing football to spending his days in treatments and physical therapy. He was forced to pull out of school and has been working with tutors.
Coach Lee is now part of the football coaching team at Taylor High School. It was his idea to include Tyler in Friday night's season opener.
"(Coach Lee) has done so much for Tyler in helping him get reconnected with his peers," explains Rachel.
Meeting and Leading Out the Mustangs
Earlier this week Tyler met with the coaches and the team. They presented him with his own Taylor football jersey.
"It was amazing and overwhelming," says Tyler. Several players spoke to him about how they find strength by following his story of recovery.
"It felt great leading out the team," says Tyler. "There was a lot of good energy and brotherhood shown to me by the team, coaches, and my peers. Such an incredible experience!"
High School Plans
Tyler's family has been meeting with the staff at Taylor High School and they are hopeful that in the coming weeks he will be able to ease into his freshman year.
"He still has surgeries scheduled in October," says Rachel. "We plan to start him at Taylor for half days and see how he does. He still has a long road of recovery ahead but getting to join his peers in their high school experience will mean the world to him."
A Loss for Taylor, A Win for Tyler
The Taylor Mustangs lost their opening game 69-7 to Atascocita High School. Although the team lost, for Tyler, the evening was a huge win. His involvement with the team was a big first step to returning to school and being a part of the high school experience.
Follow Tyler's story and recovery at #TylerStrong and see why his strength is inspiring so many.