Injured Wautoma football player experiences senior night while recovering from severe concussion

WAUTOMA, Wis. (WFRV) - Senior night on Friday didn't unfold the way Dom Rooney had envisioned it would when he began his final year as a member of the Wautoma Hornets football team.

But, given the circumstances, it was still a special night for Dom and his family.

"His face lights up, he loves the support," Dom's mom Kimberly Kozlowski told Local 5 News. "He loves to know that people he doesn't even know are rallying around him."

There were serious questions about whether or not he'd be able to be at senior night with his teammates. During Wautoma's football game last week, Dom suffered a serious concussion and had to be airlifted to Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Doctors discharged him from the hospital just a few days ago. He can't walk or talk, but with the help of his friends and family he was able to be at senior night on Friday with his teammates.

"It makes him stronger, it makes him push through, and it just means the world to us, it means everything," Kozlowski said.

The community has rallied around Dom and his family since the injury. 'Dom Strong' shirts filled the sideline and the bleachers. Some of the proceeds from t-shirt sales have gone to support Dom's family with the recovery process. There was also a 50-50 rally on Friday night to help the family and several local organizations and businesses have also raised or donated money.

Dom can't speak, but used a whiteboard to write down a message to all of his supporters.

"I hope they realize how meaningful their words and actions are," he wrote.

Dom's mom said the's beginning physical and speech therapy and while it will likely be a long road to recovery, they're seeing small improvements every day.