The funeral of former football player Everman, paralyzed during the match for the state championship.

EVERMAN, Texas – The Everman community gathered on Saturday for the funeral of the former football player who was paralyzed while playing 20 years ago.

Corey Fulbright, 37, passed away last week.

CONNECTED: Former Everman football player paralyzed during state title match dies

Back in 2002, when Fulbright was 17, he suffered a spinal cord injury during his senior year at a state championship football game.

According to his family, both of Fulbright’s lungs collapsed and his body was too weak to recover.

For the past two decades, Fulbright has been a role model for many in North Texas.