ESPN analyst, former Florida star Patric Young battling 'serious' infection

Last year, former Florida men’s basketball star Patric Young was left paralyzed after a car accident. He made his way back to the SEC Network desk this basketball season, but is now facing another battle.

Young is dealing with a “serious” infection, author Jon Gordon tweeted Wednesday night. Gordon asked for prayers for Young, who’s less than a year removed from the car accident.

“Please join me in praying for @PatricYoung4,” Gordon said. “He’s fighting an infection and it’s serious. He was paralyzed in a car accident and now is facing this. He is such a special soul. Let’s please send him love and prayers.”

Young starred for Florida from 2010-14 before a brief professional career. During his time in Gainesville, he became the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a second team All-SEC selection in 2014. He has worked for the SEC Network since 2021 while also making appearances on The Field of 68.

Last year, less than a few months removed from being paralyzed in the car crash, Young detailed his recovery during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show. He was in a Colorado hospital for a month in a half, and the staff helped him get ready to return to some semblance of normalcy upon his discharge.

“I got discharged from Craig Hospital [in Colorado] this past Friday and what they do at Craig Hospital, which is awesome, [is] if you are to never get better from where you are, they help you to find complete independence,” Young told Finebaum in August 2022. “As long as the house that I’m living in, the doorways are wide enough … I can get around and I can do whatever needs to be done, I can reach. Fortunately, I’m tall and I have long arms, so that’s a great benefit to being so tall.”

Young knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, though, and he talked about how hard he’s working with his former coach, Billy Donovan.

In the process, he also showed his sense of humor is still in tact.

“I joked with Coach Donovan the first time he and I connected and I was like, ‘Coach Donovan, if I would’ve worked this hard any of my four years in college, I would’ve been a first-round pick. I would’ve been lottery,’” Young said. “But, Paul, things are looking great, especially with me being able to wiggle my toes. Just got to be patient. One day at a time.”