Auburn University basketball Coach Bruce Pearl this week sent a video message of hope to injured Hewett-Trussville High School baseball player Grayson Pope.

The teen was seriously injured June 6 when a sudden thunderstorm and lightning strike sent a tree falling onto a golf cart he was driving at Trussville Country Club.

“This message, Grayson, is for you and it’s for your family,” Pearl said.

“Great friends of yours from Trussville reached out told me a little bit about what a terrible, incredible accident took place. You know, you’re going to make it, brother. You’re going to be okay. You’re starting to wake up right now, every day, and starting to move, and start having some feeling. You know, God’s got you. None of us can understand exactly why these things happen.”

Pope has committed to play baseball for the University of Tennessee, where Pearl previously coached.

“God’s blessed you through your life to this point,” Pearl said.

“My goodness gracious, to be such a terrific player, and a great student-athlete, to have an opportunity to go to the University of Tennessee, you’ve got a great future. You’ve got to just trust the process. This is a stumbling block, this is a barrier, but this is not a dead end. And I believe that and I just want you to know that so many people in your community and the state of Alabama are praying for you, and praying for your family. God bless you.”