Harvard does not offer athletic scholarships, so the question of tuition is not at play. The $90,000 deductible is. The Benson M. Abercrombie ’21 Fund will work in conjunction with the NCAA program. For injured athletes, the Harvard initiative may cover the deductible or fund expenses beyond the scope of the Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program.

“There’s not a typical procedure because these situations are so atypical,” Murphy said. “The bottom line is that until you go through a situation like this, with a catastrophically injured player, you don’t realize the enormous emotional, spiritual, and certainly financial costs on the family.”

As Abercrombie continues his recovery, Harvard football is three games into the season. The Crimson dropped the season opener at Rhode Island but reeled off two straight wins. Abercrombie remains at the front of many minds.

Last week, he received a call from Nick Saban, the football coach at the University of Alabama. Harvard players wore “BA” stickers during the Crimson’s home opener versus Brown, and several coaches sported patches with Abercrombie’s number.

“He’s really shown some great strength, and we’re all playing for him and for each other, so I think that’s really united our team,” said junior defensive tackle Richie Ryan.

“I can say for me, and I know a few other guys, it’s just really taking advantage of each day and each moment that you have on the field, realizing that at any point it can be all taken away from you,” added junior wide receiver Justice Shelton-Mosley. “Just giving 100 to everything I do.”