Thomas “TJ Smooth” Johnson of Brentwood was wrestling at a charity show at the New York Wrestling Convention when he “fell badly” from the side of the ring, said Ebonee Padilla, a cousin of Johnson’s GoFundMe promoter Ebonee Padilla. .
“TJ still has a long way to go before he recovers, but he is a warrior and will come back stronger than ever,” she wrote in a description of the fundraiser.
Padilla organized a fundraiser hoping to help Johnson pay for his medical care. In the fall, he suffered cerebral hemorrhage and fractures in his skull, right orbital bone, and wrist.
“Smooth had a big heart and was full of life; it was hard for our family and his friends to see him in this state,” Padilla wrote.
Within 15 hours of its launch, the community had raised $1,700 for the wrestler’s medical bills.
“It was fantastic, an unbelievable surprise,” Johnson said of the fundraiser on his Facebook page. “Anything you do, whether it’s a donation or word of mouth, is greatly appreciated.”
Despite the lengthy recovery period he faces, Johnson doesn’t appear to have given up on his enthusiasm.
The morning after the fall, he posted about it on Facebook.
“I’m a little pissed but it’s all part of the game…Thanks for following me,” he wrote.
“I promise you this won’t be the last time you see TJ SMOOTH in the ring. Let the smooth comeback begin.”
To donate to Johnson’s GoFundMe, click here.
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