Fowler High School football player to undergo surgery for major neck injury

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A young football player at Fowler High School is inspiring others, despite a major neck injury that has left him hospitalized.

Dylan Lopez says he believes he broke his vertebrae during a play Friday night, and then several players landed on top of him. Despite the scare, Dylan is able to move his hands and arms, and is expected to make a full recovery.

His older brother, Donovan Lopez, says Dylan's condition continues to improve with each day. He said, "Having a smile on his face just brightens up everybody else and helps everybody else realize that it's not as bad as it looks. He's going to pick himself up, and he's going to move forward from this, and his next step is to do whatever it takes for him to play some type of sport."

"It feels pretty good to know people are out here and they actually care. It gives me a lot more hope to keep trying," Dylan said.

Dylan says he's inspired by Delvin Breaux -- an NFL player for the New Orleans Saints who also suffered a neck injury. Breaux tweeted him on Sunday, saying "stay strong my brother."

Dylan is scheduled for surgery at noon Tuesday at Valley Children's Hospital.