Bru McCoy thanks Tennessee football fans and vows return to field after injury
Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy hasn't announced specifics of his football plans after undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.
But McCoy vowed to return to the football field at some level, and his parents said his charity work will continue.
“I want to thank every single individual who has taken the time to check in on me, share words of encouragement, or simply show their support," McCoy said in an Instagram post shared by UT football.
"It means the world to me. I’ll be back, stronger, healthier, and more hungry than ever. Till then Go Damn Vols.”
McCoy suffered the injury in UT's 41-20 win over South Carolina on Saturday. After rehabilitating, he could declare for the 2024 NFL Draft or return to UT, where he has one season of eligibility remaining because of a COVID-exempt year. McCoy's health should be a factor in either option.
McCoy, a Southern Cal transfer and former five-star prospect, was UT's most NFL-ready wide receiver. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is a sure-handed wideout, hard runner, bruising blocker and team leader.
He had 17 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown this season for the Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC), who are off this week before hosting Texas A&M on Oct. 14 (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) at Neyland Stadium.
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McCoy's parents say his charity work continues
McCoy had created a campaign called "Touchdowns for AEDs," where an automated external defibrillator would be donated to a Knoxville area youth sports organization every time he scored a touchdown this season.
It was a name, image and likeness agreement. McCoy partnered with the "Huddle for Hearts" initiative involving numerous athletes and the The Peyton Walker Foundation.
In a news release, McCoy's parents and The Peyton Walker Foundation announced that his NIL deal will be modified so that AED medical devices can be donated despite McCoy's injury.
"We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to check in on Bru and sent thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement," Bru's mother, Shelby McCoy, said. "While we are heartbroken this happened, we hope to continue his mission with Huddle for Heartsand providing CPR training and AEDs to under-served communities."
Bru's father, Horace McCoy, said, "Everyone is asking us how they can help – supporting Bru's mission is a great way to rally for Bru. Let's show him some love and get him through this."
Details will come later about McCoy's revamped initiative to donate AED devices.
It's the second NIL development related to McCoy.
On Monday, Moonshine Mountain Cookie Co. gave away two free cookies to UT fans in honor of McCoy, who had signed an NIL deal as the company's "Cookie Monster" for the 2023 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Bru McCoy thanks Tennessee football fans, vows return after injury
