Tornado Survivor Kayla Grimes to Serve as Honorary Troy Captain Saturday

Gameday at The Vet

TROY, Ala. – Kayla Grimes, an 11-year old Beauregard native, will serve as Troy's honorary captain for Saturday's season opener at The Vet. Grimes was the sole survivor from a March tornado that ripped through her home and took the lives of her dad, step-mother and best friend.

"Kayla's story is one that touched our hearts the moment we heard about her resilient battle," Troy Director of Athletics Brent Jones said. "We are beyond excited to welcome Kayla and her family to be our special guests on Saturday, and for the Troy community to celebrate the strength and courage she has shown through this tragedy."

Kayla will participate in the pregame coin toss, and her family will be personal guests of Troy Athletics for the game.

Kayla was home with her father, stepmother and best friend Taylor when the EF-4 tornado touched down. On her right leg, Kayla suffered a cracked pelvis, femur, tibia and fractured ankle. While on her left leg, she had a fractured tibia, fractured ankle and ACL tear.

She was rushed to UAB Children's Hospital in Birmingham where she spent more than two weeks before receiving a hero's welcome home with large yellow balloons, signs and parade led by first responders.

"She is our hero; she is our champ," her aunt Melissa Smith told the Opelika-Auburn News. "She's not really broken down or anything. She's just been so strong."

Recovery is still on going for Kayla and her friends have set up a Karing 4 Kayla to raise proceeds for her growing medical expenses.

Troy University Athletics

Tornado Survivor Kayla Grimes to Serve as Honorary Troy Captain Saturday

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