Illinois has launched a GoFundMe campaign for injured former defensive end Bobby Roundtree, the program has announced.
In Florida for a visit home this past May, Roundtree was swimming when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury. He underwent surgery in Florida and was then transferred to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, but will soon transition to an out-patient rehabilitation facility.
Roundtree has begun taking online classes and plans to return to campus in January.
Illinois is now hoping to raise $97,000 -- Roundtree’s jersey number -- to offset costs for therapy, medical care, transportation, housing and diet assistance.
“This has been devastating to his teammates, the entire Fighting Illini family and his family and friends,” Illini head coach Lovie Smith said. “Bobby Roundtree is exactly what you want in a student-athlete. He is a hard worker, dependable, a dedicated student and a leader.”
Before the injury, Roundtree was one of Illinois’ standout players, starting 20 games in 2017-18 and collecting Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore in ’18.
As of this writing, the campaign has collected nearly $59,000 in donations.
