Milestone reached in Harbaugh's enriching friendship

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Just days after quarterback Tyler Schilhabel played the finest -- and final -- game of his high school football career, he received a visit in his hospital room from Jim Harbaugh.

Fate brought Schilhabel to within close proximity of Harbaugh when he was airlifted to Stanford Hospital after an ATV accident left him paralyzed from the chest down in September 2010. But a friendship that has enriched the lives of both individuals has ensured that they remain in close contact.Harbaugh, the Stanford coach at the time, was there the day Schilhabel awakened following spinal-cord surgery and a medically induced coma.

"I don't think I've ever seen a human being more down, more distraught," Harbaugh said. "He was awake, but there was nothing behind his eyes."

More than 17 months later, Harbaugh paid another visit to Schilhabel. And this one was prompted by a joyous occasion.

After the 49ers wrapped up practice Thursday in Santa Clara, the 2011 NFL Coach of the Year flew to Bakersfield to attend Schilhabel's graduation from Independence High School.

"It's a milestone," Harbaugh told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. "Just supporting a friend for all the hard work he has done."

When Schilhabel spent some time in November at the 49ers' practice facility in Santa Clara, there was brief talk of Harbaugh attending the graduation ceremony.

"Then, about two months go, I got a text, 'Am I still invited to your graduation?' And it went from there," Schilhabel said.

Schilhabel had hoped to be able to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. However, his rehabilitation slowed in the second year after his injury, he said.

"My body did not respond to the workouts as well as I'd hoped," he said. "I'm trying to stay healthy and wait for my body to start picking back up. Right now, I'm healthy and in good condition, so I have no complaints."

Schilhabel, 18, has demonstrated remarkable determination and ability to deal with adversity. It's a quality he demonstrated on the football field, too.

In 2009, Independence lost to Clovis North 63-0. A year later with virtually the same teams (both schools graduated their first senior classes this year), Schilhabel passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 51 yards and a touchdown to lead Independence to a shocking 21-19 victory.

Two days later, Schilhabel sustained the life-altering accident while riding a four-wheeler over a sand dune at a designated area in Pismo Beach. Harbaugh learned of Schilhabel's plight and visited him. A couple days later, Harbaugh returned with quarterback Andrew Luck and several other Stanford players and staff.

"He was talking and he was still very sad," Harbaugh said. "Probably within a week, (I) saw the hope, the determination, the special gift of personality that he has come back.

"He's just a real special youngster, in terms of charisma, uncommon personality -- he's very special in that way. He'a a very dynamic, inspirational young man. To see him fight through that obstacle and determine he was going to overcome it, that's inspirational."

Harbaugh's presence in Schilhabel's life has helped reassure him that he is not fighting alone. Early in their friendship, Harbaugh made a promise to Schilhabel that he would remain in contact over the long term.

And, as if Schilhabel needed further proof of Harbaugh's personal commitment, there he was on graduation night, spending five hours Thursday evening in Bakersfield.

"It just shows me how genuine he is," Schilhabel said. "I've known it from Day 1. I knew he'd be true to his word. And others see that, too. You can look at him as another famous person and a great football coach, but I see all of his intangibles. He's got a busy life of his own with a lot of responsibilities, but he cares that much to come to Bakersfield for a few hours. That meant a lot to me."

Schilhabel sat down to write Harbaugh a letter to express is gratitude, as well as his hope that he, in turn, has provided Harbaugh with a positive influence, too.

"I hope I've impacted his life as much as he has impacted mine," he said.

There not even a question in Harbaugh's mind."I feel like I've gotten the long end of the straw in this friendship," Harbaugh said. "He has supported us many times. He's been at the games and he's been out at practice. When we were at Stanford, same thing."

Schilhabel and his family were guests on a drizzly day at 49ers practice in November. He remained in the rain to watch the entire practice from his wheelchair. He even spoke to the team after practice. His message is a product of his love of football and life experience.

"Whether you're a high school quarterback or a pro football player, you never know when your last game is going to be," Schilhabel said.

Schilhabel originally planned to watch that game against the Arizona Cardinals from the stands. But at the behest of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Schilhabel ended up remaining on the sideline during the action.

"I remember turning around and seeing him late in the first quarter and thinking, 'That's my guy. He's behind us,'" Harbaugh said. "I'm just forever proud to be his friend."

Schilhabel plans to attend Boise State, where he plans to major in athletic training. It should come as no surprise that he would like to be involved with the university's football program.

"It's something I've always wanted to look into," he said. "Even after the accident, I wasn't going to let it keep me from being involved in football one way or another."

Once a promising football player, Schilhabel's future looks no less encouraging after the dramatic turn his life has taken.

"His future is very bright because of the person he is," Harbaugh said. "He gets so much of that from his family. He's got five total brothers and sisters, great mom, great dad, 11 nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles -- just an amazing support system there in Bakersfield, the whole community.

"He's very driven. I think all of that bodes well for him. It's a process that he's going through, in terms of his rehab. The thing I like about him is he's chasing perfection. And there are going to be some adversity and fights to overcome but we fully expect he's going to attain excellence along the way."

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