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Campus & Community
Completing what he initiated
Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer
Ben Abercrombie fights back to graduate 8 years after a spinal-cord injury on the football field left him paralyzed
Part of the
Commencement 2025
series
A collection of articles and profiles highlighting Harvard University’s 374th Commencement.
On the surface, everything has shifted since he sustained a neck injury in his inaugural Harvard football game in 2017. Yet, Ben Abercrombie asserts that he remains quite similar internally.
His passion for football persists. He still sees himself as driven and diligent — a fact those around him wholeheartedly affirm. He aims to pursue a career in personal finance upon graduating from Harvard College this spring, a path that, should all go according to plan, will have him managing the wealth of professional athletes, merging his interests in economics and athletics.
However, he admits it’s challenging to constantly seek assistance.
“That’s one aspect. I used to attempt doing everything on my own,” Abercrombie stated. “I like to believe I haven’t changed too much, but it certainly opens your eyes not to take things for granted, to appreciate what you possess, your family, and the kindness that others extend to you.”
This kindness supported Abercrombie through a challenging eight years. His resilience led him back to Harvard after two years of rehabilitation, where he learned to navigate life paralyzed below the neck, use a wheelchair, and control a laptop with his eyes. His dedication has enabled him to graduate with a degree in economics, despite the extra demands posed by his new reality, where simply getting out of bed takes more time. This journey has transformed him into a source of inspiration for those around him, even for those whose role previously was to inspire him.
“As a coach, part of my duty is to encourage, but every time I encountered Ben after his accident — with very few exceptions — he was always so upbeat, laughing, discussing football, that he invigorated me,” remarked former Crimson football coach Tim Murphy, who brought Abercrombie to Harvard and was merely feet away from the seemingly routine tackle that altered Abercrombie’s life. “He brightens my day. They are an extraordinary family on numerous levels.”
Even before the incident, Abercrombie was a notable player, according to Murphy, who retired as the Ivy League’s most successful coach in 2024. Abercrombie was recruited from Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham in football-enthusiastic Alabama, to play safety at Harvard. He was the only freshman defensive athlete to join the team in fall 2017 for the season opener at the University of Rhode Island. Moreover, when a starter injured a hamstring during the opening kickoff, Abercrombie was selected, covering the deep right side of the field.
Just before halftime, Abercrombie recognized the receiver’s route and advanced toward him as the ball was thrown. Murphy, observing nearby, noted the tackle and remarked later that Abercrombie employed solid technique. Nonetheless, Murphy sensed something was amiss given how Abercrombie descended to the ground.
The collision damaged two vertebrae in Abercrombie’s neck along with the nerve controlling the diaphragm, which impacts breathing. Abercrombie was conscious long enough to understand that something was wrong before losing consciousness.
“I didn’t return home with the team; I jumped in the car with my wife, Martha, and we drove straight to the hospital,” Murphy recounted. “We were there for the ensuing seven or eight hours, until about midnight. I had the chance to hold Ben’s hand just before he was taken into surgery. I had the opportunity to see him as he emerged from surgery. I recall it as if it were yesterday.”
Weeks at Providence Hospital were succeeded by months at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, which specializes in brain and spinal-cord injuries. There, he and his parents, Sherri and Marty Abercrombie, began to comprehend the extent of the changes.
They returned to Hoover in January — right before the 2018 college football championship game, Abercrombie recalled. In the following 18 months, he and his parents reestablished their lives, developing new daily routines and collaborating with the state Department of Rehabilitation Services, allowing Abercrombie to learn to operate a computer with his eyes. Sherri Abercrombie, a registered nurse, left her position to be her son’s full-time caregiver. Marty Abercrombie, a restaurant owner and manager, retired and disposed of the business.
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In 2019, Abercrombie registered for a summer school course at the Harvard Extension School. That autumn, he returned to campus, adjusting to a modified suite in Winthrop House along with his parents, who have continuously supported him. They’ve aided with daily tasks, transported Abercrombie to and from classes, and collaborated closely with health aides who have provided care.
“They’ve done an excellent job aiding us in accomplishing what we need to,” Sherri Abercrombie remarked. “I’m pleased he could come here and is able to finish, although I do miss the climate at home, except during summer.”
Abercrombie expressed that he has been touched by the kindness of the Harvard community. The University backed his aspiration to return to campus, continue his education, and graduate. El Jefe’s Taqueria in Harvard Square has organized annual fundraisers, donating the earnings to a fund established by the Harvard Varsity Club to offset the expenses of his care. Former Crimson teammates also host an annual bowling event to support the fund.
Abercrombie acknowledged that classes have been tough, but he has become increasingly proficient at completing assignments. He persisted in taking summer courses and, a couple of years back, managed to increase his workload from two classes each semester to three. He has maintained connections with friends and teammates through social media and has kept in contact with Crimson football coaches. Weekly, he visits their offices to discuss football while attending the athletic complex for physical rehabilitation. The Abercrombie family grew close to Murphy, who retired in 2024, regularly celebrating Thanksgiving at Murphy’s residence on Cape Cod.
“It has been an exceptionally challenging journey that he has embarked on since that injury, and it has taken him considerable time to obtain his degree, but at no point was there an indication from his mom or dad or Ben that they wouldn’t complete their Harvard journey,” Murphy commented. “I’m truly thrilled to witness him graduate in Harvard Yard. I will be there alongside him and his family, and we’re going to have a fantastic day.”
“Being a coach, part of my role is to inspire, but every time I encountered Ben after his accident — with very few exceptions — he was in such great spirits, laughing, discussing football, that he inspired me.”
Tim Murphy
Abercrombie stays informed about advancements in medical science with the hope that he will someday be able to breathe and move independently. His physical rehabilitation incorporates state-of-the-art equipment such as a Locomat, a robotic-assisted device that supports him while helping him move, as well as electric stimulation to activate his arms and legs, aiding in flexibility and preventing atrophy. With the Locomat, he can walk on a treadmill for 45 minutes during his weekly two-hour session.
Progress has been gradual, but Abercrombie can slightly move his fingers and perceive pressure on his skin. If he remains seated in one position for too long, he experiences discomfort. He acknowledges that the improvements are minimal, yet they provide a foundation for further development. He also employs electric stimulation to strengthen his breathing muscles in preparation for achieving a significant goal: being removed from the ventilator.
Abercrombie is uncertain about what to anticipate on Commencement Day, yet he appreciates history and looks forward to participating in Harvard’s longstanding traditions. He admits that after so many years as a student, he’s eager to transition to the next chapter of life. This summer, he will focus on passing state licensing examinations, and in September, he plans to begin working at a personal finance firm in the Birmingham area.
“I’ve been in school for a decade, so I’m thrilled to finally conclude this chapter. It’s surreal that it’s coming to an end,” Abercrombie said. “It’s undoubtedly been a long journey.”
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