Mike Norvell, Florida State Seminoles bring 'joy' to 8-year-old burn victim

After wrapping up bowl practice Friday morning, Florida State football coach Mike Norvell, placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald and some of his teammates gave an early Christmas gift to a Seminole fan going through a very difficult time.

Levi Burkett, an 8-year-old boy who lives in Pelham, Ga., was severely injured in a house fire at his sister’s home in Doerun, Ga., on Wednesday morning.

The child suffered second- and third-degree burns to more than 40 percent of his body and underwent surgery at a hospital in Augusta due to injuries to his hands, back and stomach. He has another surgery scheduled for next week.

On Friday morning, Levi’s mother, Jessica Burkett, posted on Facebook that she thought it would lift his spirits if he could FaceTime with a Florida State football player because he has been a lifelong Seminole fan.

“Levi is a huge FSU fan and I believe if he could just talk to or FaceTime a player it would brighten his day,” she posted.

Levi had been sedated since the fire, but he was taken off of a ventilator late Thursday night, and the family had to explain everything that had happened. That his sister’s home had been destroyed, that he and his siblings were fortunate to be alive, and that he was hospitalized in Augusta.

The 8-year-old also was experiencing greater pain as the anesthesia began to wear off.

“He cried most of the night wanting to go home and be home for Christmas,” Jessica told Warchant late Friday. “This morning, it just dawned on me that if maybe we could get an FSU player or someone to call him, it would lift his spirits.”

Within a couple of hours, the mother of Florida State placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald reached out and said her son would call after practice.

Another Facebook friend made contact with Carol Moore, who is the FSU Football office manager and executive assistant. And Moore took her phone out to practice so that Norvell and others could speak with Levi directly from the practice fields, where they were preparing for the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma.

“We’re gonna make you proud come Thursday night,” Norvell told the boy before thanking him for supporting the ‘Noles.

“You’re welcome,” Levi said in return.

Several hours later, the Burkett family still couldn’t get over the head coach’s kindness.

“We were so amazed that Norvell would take time out of his busy day to talk to our boy,” Jessica told Warchant.

Several Florida State players chatted briefly with Levi as they were leaving practice, then Ryan Fitzgerald made a separate FaceTime call.

Fitzgerald, who is from nearby Coolidge, Ga., and played at Colquitt County High, thanked Levi for being a fan of the Seminoles and told him the team was inspired by his “strength and perseverance.”

“Hopefully we can get you back down here next season,” Fitzgerald said. “I think it would be awesome to have you guys down here. … I’m praying for you. Just keep fighting, man. We’re rooting for you. All of us are.”

The support from the Seminoles was just the latest surge of emotion for a family that has been through so much over the last few days.

According to Jessica, Levi and his 13-year-old brother, Caden, were spending the night at the home of their older sister, Savannah, when the fire was caused in the early morning hours by a space heater.

“Their cable guy was riding by, saw the flames and knocked the door down,” she said. “Levi was unconscious. That man was sent by God and saved Levi’s life. My daughter’s house is a total loss, but thank God that’s replaceable.”

Jessica, who posted photos on Facebook of the family at a Florida State game earlier this year, said Levi’s mood was noticeably different following the FaceTime calls. After eating lunch, he said he wanted to try walking and was able to make it across his hospital room with only slight assistance.

“For the past hour Levi [had] been crying because he was hurting,” Jessica posted. “To see him be cheerful and smile is so awesome.”

Despite the painful circumstances, Jessica shared an amusing story from shortly after Levi regained consciousness Thursday night. A nurse asked the young boy if he was a college football fan and then followed that up by asking if he loved the Georgia Bulldogs.

No, he told her.

“FSU.”

Just a few hours later, he was on the phone talking with the Seminoles’ head coach and his players.

“I hope Fitzgerald, Norvell and the team truly know how much joy they brought Levi today,” Jessica posted on Facebook. “Go Noles —–>>>>”

A family member has started a GoFundMe account on behalf of the Burketts for Levi’s medical bills. It had raised close to $6,500 as of Friday night.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.