theGrio

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Living
    • Health
  • Inspiration
    • Good News
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • News
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Black History

News

  • thanksgiving-travel-16x9.jpg

    Holiday safety tips

  • Meagan Good

    Good staying celibate

  • obama-and-choom-gang-16x9

    Obama's pot history

  • 2) I Am Legend (2007): In arguably one of his greatest dramatic performances, Smith held the screen virtually all by himself for most of this apocalyptic thriller's running time. He plays a military scientist who may or may not be the last man on the planet.  A scary good time at the movies.

    Will Smith's top 10 films

College baseball star receives kidney from coach

by Samantha Behrooj | February 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Comments
Print

The most important days of Kevin Jordan’s life were about baseball. That is, until he received a life-saving kidney from his baseball coach.

From Vienna, Ga, Jordan was noticed by Major League scouts early on in his career at Northside High School. His senior year, he committed to Wake Forest University, awaiting the draft. Suddenly however, Jordan’s started to feel weaker and weaker.

WATCH 11 ALIVE COVERAGE OF KEVIN JORDAN’S AMAZING STORY HERE

“I wasn’t gonna sit out the playoffs, even though it was 95 degrees and I’m tired. But it just felt so different,” said Jordan.

He was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, a disease of the immune system that is so rare it only shows up in 1 in 55,000 people. It attacked Jordan’s kidneys.

Kevin was then selected by the New York Yankees in the MLB draft. He was at the hospital that day preparing for dialysis treatment. His kidneys were below functioning level. Jordan also had the rarest blood type, O-Negative.

“I had, I don’t know how many text messages from friends, coaches, and I didn’t look at any of them,” Jordan said. “It’s hard enough explaining why I’m not playing for the Yankees right now.”

Tom Walter, coach at the University of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit and helped rebuild many houses with his players. Walter was stunned when he met Kevin Jordan.

“We just said, Oh my God. I can’t believe what this young man’s been through the last six months of his life,” remarked Walter.

Kevin had to live by himself during his first semester of college. He went through dialysis every night while he slept. Then his coach stepped in.

Walter offered to donate if he was a match.

“I talked to him over the phone, and I could hear him grin from ear to ear. He was almost giddy,” said Walter.

The operation was a success. Both Water and Jordan are recovering, and Jordan cannot wait to get back on the field. He will be able to start training in two months.

Filed in: News, Sports, Top Stories, Video | Related Topics: Atlanta, Baseball, College, Georgia, Kevin Jordan, Kidney Donor, Major League Baseball, Tom Walter, Transplant, Wake Forest University
  • Top Stories in News

    • Slideshow: The 15 best dunkers in NBA history Slideshow: The 15 best dunkers in NBA history
    • The noose makes a comeback The noose makes a comeback
    • Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets
    • Serena Williams says sister Venus is ‘inspiring’ Serena Williams says sister Venus is ‘inspiring’
    • ‘Man with 30 kids’ actually has 24
    • Rape conviction overturned: Now what?
    • Marvin Winans’ license suspended when carjacked
    • DNA study seeks origin of Appalachia’s African-Americans
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • How Harry Truman desegregated the military How Harry Truman desegregated the military
    • How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight
    • Rangel on black America’s truest heroes Rangel on black America’s truest heroes
    • Remembering America’s black war heroes Remembering America’s black war heroes
    • Beyoncé performs for first lady, Malia and Sasha
    • Rape conviction overturned: Now what?
    • Rap Genius: Top 5 rap lyrics of the week
    • Hidden WWII film could aid today’s vets
  • LIKE TheGrio

  • Hot on Facebook

  • Category Cloud

    Atlanta Black History Business Chicago Detroit Education Entertainment Health Inspiration Living Los Angeles Miami Money News New York Opinion Philadelphia Politics Reviews Service and Activism Slideshow Sports TheGrio's 100 TheGrio's 100 Women Top Stories Travel and Leisure Video Washington DC
  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • In this Jan. 23, 1942 black-and-white file photo, Major James A. Ellison, left, returns the salute of Mac Ross of Dayton, Ohio, as he inspects the cadets at the Basic and Advanced Flying School for Negro Air Corps Cadets at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala. Sixty years after President Truman desegregated the military, senior black officers are still rare, particularly among the highest ranks. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps, File)

    Rangel on black America's truest heroes

  • Obama honors veterans during Memorial Day weekend

  • Woman claims she dressed like Obama for Berlusconi

  • Florida voters support 'Stand Your Ground' law

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • © olly - Fotolia.com

    Black Enterprise celebrates largest black companies

  • Facebook unveils Instagram rival

  • Donna Summer album sales up 3,277 percent

  • 5 resources for black entrepreneurs

» Read More in Business

Living

  • thanksgiving-travel-16x9.jpg

    Holiday safety tips

  • Good staying celibate

  • School to distribute condoms at prom

  • 'He tucks me in,' first lady says of president

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • 20120528-003600.jpg

    How Harry Truman desegregated the military

  • How WWII vets helped lead the civil rights fight

  • Remembering America's black war heroes

  • Tuskegee Airman grants b'day wish

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • In this Friday May 25, 2012 photo provided by Parkwood Entertainment, Beyonce performs at Revel in Atlantic City, N.J., for the resort's premiere. (AP Photo/Parkwood Entertainment, Robin Harper)

    Beyoncé performs for first lady, Malia and Sasha

  • Rap Genius: Top 5 rap lyrics of the week

  • 50 Cent endorses marrige equality

  • Meet the breakout star of 'Battleship'

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • This May 24, 2012 file photo shows Brian Banks reacting in court after his rape conviction was dismissed in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

    Rape conviction overturned: Now what?

  • Hidden WWII film could aid today's vets

  • Kyrie Irving poses as 'Uncle Drew' in new Pepsi ad

  • Backlash against African migrants in Israel

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Living
  • Inspiration
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2011 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP