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Easterling Boosted By Brother

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By STEVE ELLIS The Tallahassee Democrat

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2008

This is the moment that has consumed two brothers in the months that followed a horrific automobile accident on a rainy May day in Mississippi.

Taiwan Easterling, a starting redshirt freshman wide receiver at Florida State, will step onto Bobby Bowden Field this afternoon with his biggest fan, younger brother Jovonie, watching from the stands. That is as it is supposed to be - the way it was when Taiwan starred on the high school football fields of southern Mississippi with Jovonie cheering for him.

It is the culmination of a pact between the two as Jovonie went through rehabilitation in a hospital in Jackson, Miss. The younger sibling would watch his brother in person after reaching the Doak Campbell Stadium stands without a wheelchair.

"It means a great deal," their stepfather, Chris Berry, said. "Since he was able to talk and remember following the accident, we've been planning this."

The automobile that Jovonie was driving hydroplaned, and the resulting collision with a tree left him with a traumatic brain injury, a severe skull fracture and put him in a coma. When he came out of it, the 16-year-old needed assistance in all areas. He wasn't able to talk or walk, according to his mother. He underwent two surgeries, with the latest one in early September.

Since the second surgery, Jovonie has made great strides, according to Berry. The younger brother always talks about Taiwan to therapist and doctors, their mother said, and the phone calls from Tallahassee always brightened Jovonie's day.

"He made tremendous improvement," Berry said. "I think wanting to watch Taiwan in person has also played a big part. He wanted to come over here and see Taiwan play and not have to have any help or have to use a wheelchair. He put his wheelchair down and can walk on his own. He will be in the stands."

Big brother Taiwan, who had five receptions against North Carolina State, including two on FSU's go-ahead scoring drive in the 26-17 win, can't wait.

"It will be real sweet," he said.

"He watched all my games growing up, so it will be real good."

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