Gophers coach Jerry Kill tackles epilepsy at pivotal point in his career

?

As darkness fell over TCF Bank Stadium, the Gophers trooped onto the field for the second half against Michigan State. Fans hunched under blankets and sipped hot chocolate, braving 25-degree temperatures during Thanksgiving weekend.

But Minnesota?s coach remained inside. Jerry Kill had suffered another epileptic seizure in the locker room after players headed to the field, and he couldn?t make it back to the sideline.

So the final regular-season game went on without him. The Gophers stayed close until the fourth quarter, but their offense sputtered in a 26-10 loss.

Hours later, Kill and his wife, Rebecca, walked out of the empty stadium and headed home. It was, he said later, ?about the lowest point of my life.?

???

Not again. That?s all Kill could think ? not again. This had been his fifth documented seizure in two years at Minnesota, the second to strike during a game. He knew people doubted him. He never wanted concerns about his health overshadowing his team?s performance.

Now, at the dawn of a new season, Kill has come to a pivotal juncture in his eight-year quest to gain control of his seizures. The Gophers need to keep improving, and he needs to prove he can stay healthy.

Knowing the stakes, he found a new doctor, changed medication plans, honed his diet, exercised and adopted a whole new outlook ? embracing the word epilepsy instead of shunning it.

?Believe me, there?s nobody who?s trying to do the right thing more than I am because I love coaching the game of football,? Kill said. ?And I want to make sure I never have a situation, ever, during a game again.?

Experts say about 70 percent of the people with epilepsy can become seizure-free with the right medication. Kill insists he?s making progress.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/219135991.html

asante samuel salton sea arizona immigration law aubrey huff the killers brandy michael pineda