Christion Abercrombie, the Tennessee State football player who suffered a severe head injury in a game last week, is making daily improvement, said his uncle, Kevin Richardson.

Abercrombie underwent emergency surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Saturday shortly after being injured in the Tigers' game against Vanderbilt.

The sophomore linebacker from Atlanta has been listed in critical condition since the surgery, but Richardson said at a prayer vigil on TSU's campus Tuesday night that there were positive signs of recovery.

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"It's been a hard time, but we're going to get through it," Richardson said. "God is here with us and Christion. He knows it, and he's going to be just fine. He is improving daily, and we're looking forward to seeing more from him."

TSU president Glenda Glover also delivered an encouraging report to the group.

"First (Abercrombie) made it through the surgery," Glover said. "And then he made it through Saturday night. Then he made it through the 24 hours. And then through 48 hours. So as each day (goes by) he continues to show just small signs of improvement. He's fighting. Christion is a fighter, and each day when we see him raise his hand or do any little thing that shows a sign of improvement we're grateful."

Several hundred students, faculty members, alumni, local pastors and community leaders attended the vigil where Bishop Joseph Walker, senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and then TSU Dean of Students Frank Stevenson each led prayers.

"We just want to continue to believe that Christion will pull through," Walker said before praying. "Many of us have personally seen the power of prayer and know that God is a god who can turn things around. Many people around the country and the world have also sent expressions of love and thoughts and prayers (for Abercrombie). The prayers of the righteous do avail much."

Stevenson credited the student leaders for organizing the vigil.

"Let me say to the student leaders who thought that it was important to pause in this moment and to lift up Christion in prayer, thank you," Stevenson said. "To the football team, I want to say that is an amazing fraternity of young men. When you talk about togetherness, they really show that in an amazing way. I want to say to them that we're praying for each and everyone of you."

Tuesday night was not the first time JerMilton Woods, a TSU graduate student from Memphis, had prayed for Abercrombie. He has set aside time daily — in the morning, at noon and at night — to pray for Abercrombie's recovery.

"We're thankful that God has allowed our brother to still be with us," Woods said. "We're going to pray him through this last push as hard as we can."

Jasha Keller, a junior from St. Louis, is a student worker in the athletics department and is familiar with several members of the football team.

"Everybody is pretty much keeping a positive mind-set, keeping our spirits uplifted, making sure our players are good and just watching out for each other," Keller said. "That's what this is about tonight."

Another vigil planned in Atlanta

A second prayer vigil for Abercrombie is being organized at his high school.

That vigil will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Westlake High School football stadium located at 2400 Union Road Southwest in Atlanta.

The vigil is being put together by Abercrombie's family and friends along with community leaders and educators.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.