Godspeed, Kevin

I have never been so happy to hear that a pro athlete has been released. Well, not since the Giants cut loose Barry “Balco” Bonds last year.

The Buffalo Bills have told Kevin Everett that he will no longer be a member of their team. This, of course, is not a reason for anyone to be sad.

The Bills cut Kevin so he will be eligible to receive full disability benefits for the spinal cord injury that ended his career.

Kevin knew months ago that he would never again play the game he loved — at any level, much less the elite ranks of the NFL.

Normally, that’s a heartbreaker for a young athlete. For Kevin, knowing that he would not be lying down the rest of his life, it was OK.

Kevin’s story was a real miracle. He still might have been paralyzed if a gutsy and innovative doctor hadn’t ordered the injection of a cold saline solution to cool down his body and prevent swelling.

All things considered, he came out OK. May he enjoy a long — and vertical — life.