By Mike Pearson
FightingIllini.com

For the 20 or so reporters who assembled on Friday's Zoom teleconference, it quickly became apparent to them that not even a debilitating spinal injury could crush the indomitable spirit nor mask the smile that they'd grown to expect from Bobby Roundtree.

And while the former Fighting Illini football star answered questions for some 45 minutes about the journey he's taken since his life-altering May 18, 2019 swimming accident, Roundtree's message could easily be encapsulated with just twenty words.

"I've still got goals to reach, and I'll reach them," he said. "I just want to show everybody that anything is possible."

Roundtree, a native of Largo, Fla., says that he doesn't remember much about that fateful day, but refuses to think anything but positive thoughts.

"Knowing that I'm going forward and hearing everybody say that I'm making big gains, it actually makes me want to go even harder," he said.

Roundtree indicated that he'd lost close to 70 pounds in the months following his accident, but has since gotten back to the 260-pound mark.

"I'm actually on a diet now, trying to trim down a little bit," he said.

Roundtree, who's been enrolled in classes at Illinois since last Fall, has a weekly routine at his home in Champaign. Every Monday and Friday, he makes the short jaunt to 1207 S. Oak Street on the west edge of the University of Illinois's campus to attend two-hour therapy sessions at Illinois' renowned Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES).

"When this all began and we started our planning process, we realized that, for Bobby, there was actually no place better to be than in Champaign," said Jeremy Busch, Associate Director of Sports Medicine and football's Head Athletic Trainer. "This campus is surrounded with amenities to help him succeed, both short-term and long-term."

Roundtree's mom, Jacqueline Hearns, serves as his unofficial personal therapist and spiritual advisor.

"When things get kind of hard, my Mom reminds me about where I started when I first got hurt," he said. "I just try to keep being positive.

The pace at which Roundtree has progressed has amazed his therapists.

"They didn't expect me to be where I'm at this soon," he said. "When somebody tells me I can't do something, I'll prove them wrong. It might take me a couple of tries, but I'm going to do it."

Busch quickly hinted to Roundtree's doctors and nurses at Florida's Mease Countryside Hospital in Florida that they'd better expect the unexpected.

"When they talked about laying out some realistic expectations, I said 'No, you don't know who you're getting your hands on here.' I said 'You'd better raise your expectations pretty quick.' When we moved Bobby up to Shirley Ryan (Ability Lab) in Chicago, we had that same conversation. I said 'You'd better raise your expectations because (Bobby's) wired differently.' Then we moved him down to campus and we had that same talk. Again I said 'You'd better continue to raise that bar because he doesn't live under those same limitations.' Bobby does it on a daily basis because that's who he is. He's going to push the envelope with everybody. He going to get the very best out of himself."

Regaining his independence is Roundtree's No. 1 motivating factor.

"I'm not used to having my Mom and everybody caring for me and doing things that I can't do," he said. "I can't wait to just be independent again. Getting back to where I want to be and what I want to do are my goals. I love working. I hate sitting around and I hate it when they say I can't work out. Things might not always go as planned, so I just want to show everybody that this injury isn't going to overcome me. I'm going to beat this and I'm going to be successful."

Busch has been at Roundtree's side for his entire collegiate career.

"When Bobby first stepped on campus as a freshman, you saw this natural leader," Busch said. "He's got a million-dollar smile and everybody gravitates to him naturally."

"After this injury, I've watched a person who's truly been at the worst point in his life. He doesn't acknowledge that to where it defeats him, but he acknowledges it to motivate him. Bobby is truly your idea of inspiration and hope on a daily basis. He's gone from the simplest of struggles to absolutely overcoming everything that you put in front of him. He's always knocking down my door and blowing my phone up about what we can do and what we have to do and what we still need to get done. Talking to Bobby makes every day an inspiration for me. He will push the limits at all times. He's got a natural-born gift and that's probably been the biggest blessing for us all."

And what does the future hold for Bobby Roundtree?

"Five years from now, I see myself walking again and traveling around with my Mom," he said.

He's pondering a coaching career or perhaps starting his own rehab center.

"I want to do something that's going to help people who've been through this," Roundtree said. "I want to show everyone that anything is possible, no matter your situation."

Roundtree is especially grateful to Illinois' football family and to Illini Nation.

"Everybody donating and doing fund raisers, that means a lot," he said. "I don't have a million dollars to help me through this. People giving their last pennies to help me out, that's just a lot of love right there. I appreciate everybody for that."

Roundtree is a man who brims with faith.

"God gives His hardest battles to His strongest warriors," Roundtree said. "There was a reason why I got hurt. I don't think everybody could handle this as I am. I'm grateful that I'm still here and able to get strong every day. It's gonna happen."

WAYS TO ASSIST BOBBY ROUNDTREE:

• GoFundMe: To make a donation through GoFundMe, search "Bobby Roundtree" or click here.
• Directly to the Bobby Roundtree Trust: To give directly to the Bobby T. Roundtree Trust, contact Busey Wealth Management at 217-365-4800. Checks made out to the Bobby T. Roundtree Trust can be mailed directly to Busey Wealth Management at P.O. Box 260, Champaign, IL 61824-0260.