LEXINGTON — Magoffin County senior Caleb Parsons was among the student-athletes honored as members of the 2024 TomLeachKY.com All-Resilient Team during a ceremony held on Thursday, April 25.
Parsons battled back and overcame adversity to return to the gridiron.
Early in his junior year, Parsons was rushed to the emergency room with severe dehydration, a high fever and other symptoms that were later diagnosed as a possible case of Crohn’s disease. He spent three weeks in the hospital with an intestinal abscess that resulted in a bowel resection surgery. It all led to a 20-pound weight loss. By spring, Parsons was back in training for a return to the Magoffin County football team. He put on 30 pounds of muscle in the weight room and was able to play as a cornerback and a kicker while making substantial gains in his weightlifting regimen.
In addition to some of Parsons’ family members, Magoffin County Athletic Director Neil West and Hornet Football Coach John DeRossett attended the ceremony.