Introduction to the Incident
Jayda Redden is used to cheering for others — she’s been doing it since she was around 3 years old and was on a mini team coached by her dad. Now hundreds of thousands are cheering for the 19-year-old who recently went public about a head injury she sustained last summer on the first day of practice for members of the University of Central Florida’s cheer and dance team.
The Accident and Its Aftermath
The teen from Johns Creek, Ga. — about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta — still has serious lingering effects, she says. She is seeking compensation from UCF, and hopes sharing what happened through videos on social media will help others and lead to change at the school. She auditioned in May 2024 for the university and earned a spot on its Spirit Team. On June 20, 2024, during practice a stunt went horribly wrong, she said, and she hit her head.
Going Public with the Story
Exactly one year later, she posted on Instagram a photo of herself superimposed with text blocks telling the story. Then when ZenGame Podcast, which covers college sports, posted an interview with her Aug. 15 it went viral. Jayda Redden posted this image on her Instagram account June 20, 2025, exactly one year from she was injured during Spirit Team practice for the University of Central Florida. It was the first time she publicly addressed what happened. (Courtesy of Jayda Redden)
The Incident’s Viral Reach
As of Sunday a 51-minute video on the ZenGame Youtube channel has over 34,500 views and more than 550 likes. A five-minute clip of the video posted Aug. 17 on TikTok by @cheerleadingcenter as of Sunday has more than 3.1 million views, 247,000 likes and 1,650 comments. Redden was injured during a basket toss — a stunt where usually three or more people launch a flyer into the air who performs a midair trick before being caught in a cradle.
Details of the Accident
“They had thrown me in the air and from what I’ve been told is … the main base, the right base and the back spot stepped out so the coach caught my feet and so my head went back and I hit like the back right side of my head,” she said. She said she remembers being unconscious and waking in a confused state to paramedics asking basic questions (name, birthdate, etc.) about herself (she was unable to answer most of them) and if she wanted to go to the hospital — which she declined. She said coaches on scene discouraged her from going but her trainer insisted. While there she got a CT scan which she was told was clear.
The Aftermath and Medical Diagnosis
The next day she saw a UCF doctor who diagnosed her with a concussion. Afterward her mother, Mary Lynne Redden, drove her home to Georgia. Days later her parents asked if she wanted to return to UCF. Stung by how coaches interacted with her and her family in the aftermath of her injury, she responded: “No, they have completely broken my trust.” Her father, Micah Redden, contacted university officials to let them know she wasn’t returning. Since the incident she hasn’t talked to anyone with the college or Spirit Team. Jayda Redden stands alongside her mother, Mary Lynne Redden, on April 28, 2025 during the Cheerleading Worlds at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. She stands alongside her dad, Micah Redden, on Feb. 14, 2025 in Atlanta during the CHEERSPORT National All Star Championship. Jayda was injured June 20, 2024 during a practice session in Orlando with the University of Central Florida’s Spirit Team. (Photos courtesy of Jayda Redden)
Seeking Compensation and Change
About two weeks after she was injured her family reached out to attorney Kyle Schmitt, a partner in the Jacksonville office of Wicker Smith. In addition to being a lawyer, Schmitt is a U.S. All Star Federation certified competition judge and skills consultant in competitive cheerleading. Redden said her attorney sent a letter to the university late last year and it was rejected March 6. She said among the demands were a financial settlement in an amount she did not want to disclose along with changes to the cheerleading coaching staff and access to video of the incident.
University Response and Ongoing Legal Action
During a phone call Friday morning with the Sentinel, Schmitt said no lawsuit has been filed but additional legal options are being discussed. “The university has essentially shut Jayda down by saying, ‘Oh, well, you signed a (liability) waiver,” she said. An emailed statement Wednesday from Adam Widman, UCF senior associate athletics director for brand communications, said the university prioritizes health, safety and well-being of its athletes. “Our coaches, strength and conditioning staff, athletic trainers and medical professionals are committed to following established protocols in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses,” Widman said. “While we cannot comment on individual medical situations, we remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and continuously reviewing our practices to ensure we serve our spirit squads and student-athletes in the best possible way.”
Lingering Effects and Hope for Change
Redden said her symptoms grew worse in the immediate aftermath of the accident. After moving to Miami in August 2024, for a spot on the Top Gun All Stars cheerleading team, she said her hair started falling out, she was constantly tired and wanted to sleep, she was nauseous, and had muscle pain and headaches. Documents she provided from her visit in November to Panda Neurology in the Atlanta area stated the doctor believed her to have symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, sleeping too much, nausea or vomiting and trouble with concentration and memory, among others. They can last weeks to a year or more. Redden said her goal from sharing her experience is change at the university. “I hope UCF rebuilds that cheer program with new coaching staff because there’s so much wrong with them and there’s so much darkness that they have swept under the rug,” she said.
Conclusion
The story of Jayda Redden serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cheerleading and the importance of prioritizing athlete safety and well-being. By sharing her experience, Redden hopes to bring about change at the University of Central Florida and ensure that no other athlete has to go through what she has endured. The viral reach of her story has already sparked a significant amount of support and discussion, highlighting the need for greater awareness and action to address the issues she has raised.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to Jayda Redden during the University of Central Florida’s Spirit Team practice?
A: Jayda Redden was injured during a basket toss stunt, hitting her head after the main base, right base, and back spot stepped out, causing her head to go back and hit the ground. - Q: What were the immediate effects of the injury?
A: Redden was unconscious, woke up in a confused state, and was unable to answer basic questions about herself. She declined to go to the hospital initially but was insisted by her trainer to get a CT scan, which was clear. - Q: What were the long-term effects of the injury?
A: Redden experienced symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and trouble with concentration and memory. She also had hair loss, constant tiredness, nausea, and muscle pain. - Q: What is Redden seeking from the University of Central Florida?
A: Redden is seeking a financial settlement, changes to the cheerleading coaching staff, and access to the video of the incident. She hopes to bring about change at the university to prevent similar incidents in the future. - Q: What has been the university’s response to the incident?
A: The university has stated that it prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of its athletes and follows established protocols for injury prevention and treatment. However, it has not commented on individual medical situations, citing liability waivers signed by athletes.
